Guest Opinion: Judicial Injustice
It is two months shy of two (2) years since Modification of Child Support has been sought for on the AG’s last child. The AG has not responded to any correspondence. Though the Governor knows about this, nothing has been done. Instead of replying, the AG is seeking credit for a child who is past twenty two (22) years old.
The Director of PSCD has done nothing but sit in her office though she was the one who called the AG about the Modification. He told her he did not want a hearing; it is now obvious why he did not want a hearing. The AG makes almost $100,000 per year, yet he pays less than $150.00 per pay period for child support.
Is this sending a message to other fathers that when a Modification is sought for, they should not respond? What would the AG do in this matter since he is in charge of Justice where the PSCD falls under? Is this the type of person we want to be over our Justice Department. This is really contradicting, like Satan correcting sin.
How can the Governor state he is all for family and the children are his number one concern but, it is alright and even legal for the head of the Justice Department to refuse to respond to any correspondence?
If we cannot get Justice, in our own Virgin Islands, maybe we need to start venturing outside of the territory by exposing the corruption that goes on here.
Anyone with a doubt the CASE NUMBER is 100-99-43 with the AG being the “Respondentâ€
Can you imagine the AG has one of his long time partner in crime as his attorney— What does he want, the attorney to pay the child support that he should? It’s been two years… is there anyone that can see to it that he pays the retroactive money owed? From 1992-2000 he paid $220 per month for child support. From 2000-present he is paying $304 per month. It is public knowledge that he has received an additional increase in income from the $25,000 he allegedly claimed he made per year. He still refuses he pay more support.
NO WONDER CRIME HAS INCREASED SINCE HE HAS TAKEN OVER AS AG.
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SHAME SHAME SHAME
It’s more than a shame. It sounds criminal. He should be removed from his post as AG. Don’t we deserve better than this?
Is this a representative of the Justice Department. Attorney General this is an embarrassment that has me at a lost for words. You should be next on the Governor’s chopping block. How can the Governor expect the people to respect him if he can keep someone like you that don’t pay child support to head this vital agency.
This is why PCSD is so ineffective in collecting child support payments from dead beat dads, because the AG tops the list of “dead beat dads”. What a loosing administration.
If I may comment here. I happen to have been expose to this issue and it sickens me to the stomach. The Governor assured a person in the AG’s office he would deal with the matter but simply sweapt it under the carpet. But it gets a worse than this. His particular file was place in safe keeping and staff was warned to speak of the issue. The Governor was personally contacted on this matter again, and he called the AG who is his personal friend and confidant who consequently transfered yet another employee. I have lost all respect for the Governor and what he represents. The people of the Virgin Islands have no idea what is really going on here. This is not only a shame…its disgraceful.
I could not go without adding, this is the same Governor who accepted money from Jeffrey Epstein but denied he knows the man, then his wife still works for Mr. Epstein. In case you don’t remember just google Jeffrey Epstein name and see what comes up. These people have no regards for the moral fabric of this society. I will support anyone else but Governor John degone!
I am a friend of this family and knows about the late payments, the missed payments and the no payments at all. This infidel of an Attorney General is a poor representative of GVI. He needs to volountary step down from his position. The Governor really, really, really needs to get his acts together. HOT FIRE BURNING SHAME..
I know for a fact that Judge Swan was the judge for the first hearing more than ten years ago. What would the good judge say if he knew since he made that ruling of $220 per month that child has gotten one increase. The child is probably between 17 and 18 years by now; in two weeks, my grocery bill alone is over $300.00. What can $150.00 for two weeks do? Does this mean the AG (knowing the ‘MAN OF GOD’ he professes to be) is praying hard for this child find a job upon leaving high school, so he does not have to pay anymore child support? Where is the director of P&CSD, what is she doing? Why isn’t she earning her keep. Is she afraid of losing her job or is someone telling her to keep this case down low?
The AG office is known for harassing fathers who are not working but is expected to pay their due. The AG is making about $97,000. My Gad, pay you child support. Govenor, you administration gone to the dog. I hope you can pray, because you definitely needs God’s intervention.
It was a few weeks ago that I heard the Governor addressing a religious body at Antilles School. He spoke of his children and his daughter going off to college in two weeks. Governor I am sure you had your daughter’s money for school. Would you like to know that this happens to her. Think about it. Are you going to allow friendship to get between your serving the people of these Virgin Islands? If I were you, I would think long and hard because what goes around comes around!
Many years ago, my wife and I had some minor issues. She harrassed me constantly and refused to do anything for me. After I could not deal with it anymore, I sought the friendship of a very understanding young lady. It was not planned, but she got pregnant. I did not want to have another child, but as a man I had to deal with the consequences. Later my wife and I worked things out. I told her about the situation; at first she said I should turn my back on the child. I AM A MAN, and I stood my ground. Today, my wife and I are not doing so well healthwise. We have three children together. We do not see them (our kids)often, but do you know who we see every day? You are right – the same child my wife wanted me to turn my back on. Mr. AG, please take my foolish advice and remember,”The stone that the builder rejects IN MOST CASES become the head corner stone.
This is outrageous! About nine – ten years ago, I was riding with a few members of the community. I could never forget, when we got in the vicinity of the old territorial court(Babel Plaza) the AG (he wasn’t AG then) drove by. A child in school uniform said,”Look my Father”. I looked at the lady who was closest to the child. She was not looking in my direction. As a matter of fact, she did not even behaved as though she heard the child. I got her attention and asked if what the child said is correct. She asked what did the child say. I do not know if it was embarrassment or what, but it took a few minutes for me to get her to admit what the child said was true. As a matter of fact, I had to tell her who drove by before I could have gotten anything out of her. When she did, I asked if he took care of the child. She said in a way. I turned and asked her what she is doing. I further mentioned the house that they built and moved into sometime ago. She told me that is their house and it had nothing to do with her. I loved that lady for her answer. Am I hearing right, that our Beloved AG is still not stepping up to the plate? AG when you are cursed,you are well cursed, be careful!
It is easy to focus on the AG partially because he is a public figure. However, child support matters can tend to be lopsided, partial, and discriminatory with fathers mostly (and some mothers) being discriminated against.
In other forums on this site, the topic of the draft constitution, the Fourteen Amendment, and discrimination has dominated the discussions. The Fourteen Amendment speaks in part about not depriving citizens of life and liberty. Growing national case law is showing the relevance of this amendment to parental rights. Additionally, case law also speaks to the impermissible interference of the government into parents rights, to the care and custody of their children. However, these are often ignored or misapplied.
Virgin Islands law mentions several classes of people that are entitled to support, to include minor children. However, the other groups receive little attention except removed spouces who are seeking alimony.
The child support system locally and nationlly is flawed. But many parents who are targeted, out of embarassment or ignorance, do not challenge the system. Moreover, some of these parents provide support over and beyond what has been mandated without their efforts being recognized or credited to child support.
One irony is that parents who pay child support are hardly viewed as loving and caring parents who willingly support their children. Instead they are seen as villians who are being forced to pay. Many onlookers think: They must be deadbeats. Why else would they be paying child support? This is a false premise.
Child support cases are often begun out of malice, bad break-ups, and out of an “I’m going to get you attitude.” This poisionous attitude can flow from the custodial parent to the child resulting in impaired relationships with the other parent.
On another point: How do the “needs” of a child change based on the income of a parent? It doesn’t! But the system says, if you income increases so should your child support payments. This is nonsense. This creates an atmosphere of greed not of need.
We have heard that it takes more than money to raise a child. However, the system focuses primarily on money.
Don’t judge a man or woman until you’ve walked in his/her shoes.
This is in response to Ten Again. I applaud you for most of what you have said, but I do not think you are looking at the big picture. You should reread the article. The AG knew what he did before he became a public figure. He was appointed his position when the present administration came into office. As an attorney the AG knows the guidelines of the P&CSD. Had he done what he should have done in the first place we would not have been here right now. The Constitution has nothing to do with this. According to the article, the petitioner has been trying to get a modification for two years. You asked how do the “needs” of a child change based on the income of a parent? I take it that you are a parent. I have a few questions for you. Do children remain the same age, size, etc.? How about the cost of living in the V. I. presently? Greed has nothing to do with it. If a child has two parents, one may be struggling, the other does not want to contribute; what will happen to that child? Have you noticed how many children we have out here where their fathers don’t even talk to them? Have you check the statistics of the crime rate. Most of the crimes are committed by young people who are looking for someone to blame for their unhappiness, so you should not say not to judge a man until you have walked in his shoes. I can assure you, myself and many other men have walked in the AG’s shoes. Unfortunately, we are not head of the agency, so we have to pay up while his employees are playing with a child’s future while he is soliciting the sympathy of the people. THINK ABOUT IT!!!!
This site is viewed by people all over the globe. Just yesterday I received a called from Colorado from a friend who knows about the AG’s and the child support issue. She said, “you mean after that man is a big shot he is not paying his child support”. We saw the result of the paternity test even though we knew the child was his. He was an attorny then and should not have allowed his good name reach the Department of Justice for child support.
To all the “Big Shot” out there who believed that certain things should not be mentioned on the site. Let it be known that sometimes this is the only way one gets a result. One of these days, if I know how to paste the Governors response to a correspondence to the mother of the child I will do so. If the governor cannot get his AG to pay his child support then……
Again Governor and AG burning shame
Child Advocate,
Your response has been noted. You reasoned that I may not be seeing the big picture. Then, you suggested that I reread the article. So I did. I also examined carefully each question you presented and each statement made. I am taking the liberty to presume that you are a father based on the associations you made.
If the AG is obliged to pay child support, he should pay. But it’s not that simple. I’ll expound on this further below. However, if Ms. DeChabert, the Director of the Division of Paternity and Child Support, believes that the AG is guilty of not paying child support, she can simply turn the matter over to the judicial system and let them handle it. Or is she afraid to lose her job or face other embarrassment about the incompetence of the Division?
Here’s the big picture in a nutshell. Your premise that the Constitution has nothing to do with the matter is flawed. The local law governing child support (Title 16 of the V.I. Code) and the rules and regulations of the Division (16 Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations) have federal components based in large part on Title 5 the Social Security Act of 1935 which mandates compliance by states and territories of the United States under penalty of law. Federal laws are made by the Congress. And all Congressional law is subject to and must be in compliance with the U.S. Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.
The questions you posed about children and the statistics of the crime rate, while they are salient, they are not relevant to the matter of the AG presumably not paying child support. However, your questions do further a point that I advanced. All the money in the world will not prevent a child from getting involved in criminal activity or other untoward behavior. But having a father around may just do that.
I would suggest that if you are paying child support that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and case law locally and nationally that address not only child support, but, moreover domestic relations. Investigate what administrative agencies and the judicial system can and cannot do. Read judicial journals, opinions of the courts, and relevant attorney and court blogs on the matter. And most definitely, investigate what are your constitutional rights to be a parent.
The key issue is that a child never asks to be born. If two people decide to have sex, the chance of conceiving a child is very present. It is not only up to the woman to procure protection, the man should be equally responsible, if not more, especially if he knows that he is not willing to provide for the child! We are losing our children to broken families. Needless to say, if your going to chance having a child, then do it with the willingness of taking on the responsibilities associated with raising that child, including providing for it!
Even more than that – should the same person that is derelict in paying their own child support be charged with overseeing the agency that makes sure that ALL the children of the VI receive their child support?
I think not.
Virgin Islanders, Permanent Citizens, and Citizens, DO YOU REALLY MEAN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, VINCENT FRAZER IS AN OFFENDER OF CHILD NEGLECT (not paying his child support). Isnt the AG the head of the Department of Justice? If so, why is he still there. The Federal Government need to know about this. If this is not so, then this article needs to be removed from the site. It is disgusting.
I see I am not the only user at this site using the screen name “Concern”. I like how the “ed” was added at the end.
Myself and others responded to this post earlier this morning.
Johnny Says: July 19th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
This website is going to the dogs in a hurry. I like the idea of residents sharing thier sentiments about local politics, but this desire for posters to go into people’s personal life is very unattractive. I sure hope it stops real soon.
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Busted Says: July 20th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Johnny, I saw a relatively quick response when I sent an email to the address under the contact us tab. Someone posted under my name on comment #50 and it has since been replaced by a note from the administrator. I suggest using the same procedure if you find offensive content.
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People, we really need to ask our self’s “what is going too far”. I personally think that public officials business is our business especially when their conduct is directly related to misuse of public funds.
In this case, the AG situation does not impact upon his use of public funds.
Believe me, I will be out front with the rest of you waiving good bye to the de Jongh administration when the are finally led off to jail.
Let’s not go to the dogs in the process. I say this purely for all of us to take a step back and not get side tracked.
Our focus should remain on public officials that are using our monies for their own personal gain. The governor and Sen Hill clearly falls within this category. The AG child support issue deals directly with his own personal finances. I agree that he should be responsible like the rest of us. Again, let’s not go to the dogs on this one and turn user of this site away.
Just my input and food for thought. Have a nice evening.
PS:
My biggest concern with the AG is WHY DID HE SIGN OFF ON A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT WITH THE GOVERNOR AND A CONVICTED CRIMINAL, WHO PREVIOUSLY DEFRAUDED THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT. THIS CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
I MUST NOTE THAT THE AG WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH THE FRAUD CASE AGAINST THIS CONVICTED CRIMINAL WILLIAM KOENIG IN 2004.
I believe this guest opinion writer is using this platform to get some sort of personal results that they should seek in family court.
In this matter, the key issue is: DID THE AG FAIL TO APPEAR IN COURT ON A CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATION CASE.
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