Senate

Bill to Suspend Retirement Benefits of Government Workers Convicted of Public Corruption Held for Further Revisions

Following a spirited debate on Thursday, the Senate Committee on Rules and Judiciary voted to hold an amended version of Bill No. 36-0132 in committee while lawmakers and government officials work through additional concerns involving due process, proportionality, employee contributions and protections for dependents. Sponsored by Sen. Kenneth Gittens, the measure would amend Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code by establishing the “Public Corruption Act.” It would provide for the suspension of retirement benefits belonging to government officials and employees who are members of the Government Employees’ Retirement System following conviction of a felony involving a violation of the public trust, with those benefits potentially applied toward imprisonment costs and restitution. Mr. Gittens said the principle behind the legislation is that “when someone is convicted of a felony for abusing the public's trust, that individual should not be permitted to financially benefit from the very ...