Somebody’s Lying
As the fog continues to swirl around the ever changing explanations for the use of public funds to enhance Gov. John deJongh’s personal residence, only one thing is perfectly clear.
Somebody’s lying.
At issue is funding for a guardhouse, security fence and driveway at the Governor’s private residence. Documented expense to date – $337,091.
The response from Government House Communications Director Jean Greaux was outright denial on June 22. Since that time, despite the release of several pieces of documentation to the contrary, the response has been a deafening silence.
Until now.
Now we are told that well, yes, public funds were used – part of $1 million in “reprogrammed” funds allegedly authorized by the Legislature in Act 6917.
These funds were originally part of $1.3 million allocated to the Nadir Bridge Flood Control Project. The attached April, 2008, letter from Julio Francis, Director of Finance and Administration, states per Act. 6917, that these “reprogrammed” funds were to be used for several road improvement projects and for a “Security Booth and Road Improvements at the Governor’s Residence, (STT).”
However, a review of the text of Act 6917 shows that the specific use for the “reprogrammed” funds was to be “engineering designs, construction, repairs or the resurfacing of roads” with no reference to improvements of any kind at the Governor’s residence.
The addition of the work at the Governor’s home is, at best, an extremely liberal interpretation of the stated provisions of Act 6917 and at worst, an outright misappropriation of funds.
Added to this dilemma is the timing of these actions. The contract for construction of the Governor’s driveway is dated October, 2007, some six months before the “reprogrammed” funds were identified for use in Francis’ April, 2008 letter. The Guardhouse was authorized in May, 2008, and the Security Fence, which is not mentioned in any documents referenced here, was constructed in July, 2008.
So many questions, so little time.
But here are a few that must be answered:
- If the administration believes that the use of funds was appropriately allocated by Act 6917, why was the use of public funds denied in Gereaux’s June 22 release?
- Does the Finance Department have the authority to liberally interpret the language of legislation when determining the use of public funds?
- Is it customary to retroactively allocate funds for government expenses? Why was an October, 2007 expense charged to funds that weren’t authorized until April, 2008?
- And, considering the fact that the Revised Organic Act states
that the Governor “shall maintain his official residency in the Government House on St. Thomas during his incumbency”, are any of these expenses for enhancements to the Governor’s private residence eligible for payment through public funding?
It’s past time to set the record straight on this issue. Pick an answer and stay with it. Otherwise, there is only one conclusion to be reached.
Somebody’s lying.
April 16 VIPFA Letter to P&P Commissioner
Act 6917 (applicable section only), Act 6917 (full copy)
Road Paving Contract
Publisher’s note: In Act 6917 (full copy), starting at page 5, take note of how section 17 is a broad funding allocation while the appropriations in the other sections are for specific projects and dollar amounts.
I don’t think we’ve heard the end of this. It just amazes me how there’s a core group of supporters who overlook the same activities for which they roundly criticized former Gov Turnbull. Their inconsistencies are so obvious.
Like Beef said this morning, they keep moving the goal post. I’m just curious how many of them will stand with the Governor when the crap hits the fan. Sen Dowe already made clear yesterday in the Special Session that he’s not going down for anyone. He did this by reading the transcripts related to the amendment to Act 6917 that he sponsored and 15 Senators voted for. Everyone has their limits as to how far they’re willing to stick their neck out.
SHAME ON YOU CRAIG4LIFE,I don’t see why you would think that FONCIE is trying to sabotage deWOLF. THE truth hurts when you get caught with your pants down.WITH a lying PRESS SECRETARY like JEAN GREAUX AND lying commissioners SMALLS AND MILLIN-MADURO. deWOLF should come out and tell the people of the VI the truth and stop the crying.WHEN someone is wrong be man enough to tell them they are wrong.SO governor pay back the money and resign you cannot be trusted.
crucian4life,
you are clearly in the minority here. It seems that most of the posts concerning the Governor’s expenditure on his house find something horribly, morally, and ethically, if not legally, wrong. No need to get so nasty and personal. This is not about you. Or is it?
deJong is a LIAR… and the people of the Virgin Islands will deal with him , Why he hasnt made a press conference and explain what he did to the people.
What would he say? I have betrayed the peoples trust. I knew it was wrong but I thought you all were too stupid to catch me. Now I am brazen enough to continue to raid the govt coffers by ordering up another $87 million. May the Lord have mercy on the people of the Virgin Islands.
Pray people pray.
lol good one Oh no!….. i mean the Democrat senators here are a joke , I know party is a thing , but wrong is wrong. They are a set of jokes. Thurland clown , N .James big joke, Why is Thurland pretending to be such a party loyal when he didnt even vote for the Governor, he was a Mapp supporter.
Mr./Mrs. Pandora this is not about me at all. I as a VI citizen don’t find it to be wrong because it is not the only time that it hasn’t been done in the US. Thus I find it to be reasonable. The only thing that upsets me is that you repeatedly post on the forum, respectably. But fail to answer my question. What are 10 bad things that de Wolf has done? And who is the future of the Gubernatorial seat? I am only voicing my opinon on the website. And I can only voice my opinions on the topics given hence “Somebody’s Lying” & “Governor: Confirm or Deny”. What’s wrong with someone who has an opposing view. This website doesn’t take to kindly to it I see. Is that so wrong people of crucianinfocus.com? Pandora… do not answer that question. Answer this though: What are 10 bad proven things de Jongh has done while in office? And who is the answer next year for the 2010 Gubernatorial seat? Thank you.
Crucian4life,
You sure made some comments similar to Craig Bassinger and I believe “holysmokes” got a point here. I was wondering about some of those phrases you used Senator Bassinger. Did you ever present documents to support your accusation that Senator Donastorg falsified some documents? Are you going to demonstrate to us in this forum the way Senator Donastorg has demonstrated some facts. We are still waiting for those documents to prove Senator Donastorg committed a criminal act as you said on Roger Morgan morning show. We are waiting. I still can’t understand why the dejongh supporters are still in denial. This is so sad….How can any intelligent person condone the Governor’s actions. I guess when he is found guilty of this by a higher authority they will write references letters to say how good of a person he is. That too is sad… While all our young men and some government employees are going to jail for stealing far less, this Governor can illegally use tax payers money to the tune of thousands of dollars. I was a supporter but cannot buy this lame excuse he is now using. First, no public funds was ever used, then some public funds was used. Stop the lying, I can’t take it anymore. How can we trust this man again.
To 3P Incorporated:
I went to that website and see the Virgin Islands Government, the Public Finance Authority and Waste Management all listed as clients. But when you click on the links, they don’t go anywhere. Then I Googled the company and there’s next to no information out there about them except some vague references to management consulting.
Does anyone know what they’ve been contracted to do? Or how much they’re getting paid>
Can someone enlighten us?
From what I heard in the Senate last night 3P (Marion Prescott) has been contracted to have oversight management of the Stimulus funds. Mr. Francis said the contract is for $950K.
Nice contract for someone who just got a VI Business license in May,2009. She’s been working for the PFA for over a year with no license. Hmmm ????
Colette,
This is not Barshinger. Thus I cannot speak on his behalf.
What Senator Adlah Foncie Donastorg has successfully done is to show the people false evidence linking the Governor to the accusations. Foncie is what drives the people of the Virgin Islands down!
Barshinger I have repeatedly shown links as to why the Governor is guilty. All you must do is look to the facts.
Thanks Oh No. We all need to get one of those VI Government Contracts – they toss a million around like it’s chump change. Isn’t there one local firm that could do this work?
Must be nice to be rich… but then again, if you don’t have the cash, just float some more millions of bonds for it.
That’s the VI way!
Oh No, that is not the VI way.
It is the Political way. The Greedy way. The Wrong way. Some of us still remember the Right way, the Sweeter way, the true Virgin Islands way.
deWolf grew up in Detroit that is the way he knows.
The Governor’s campaign contributors are a matter of public information. Again, the Governor is required, by law, to release this information to anyone requesting this listing under the “Freedom of Information Act”. As you can see the delegate information is available to the public on the internet. Not sure if that was a good thing in light of what has been uncovered.
I am calling on Governor de Jongh campaign to post a “complete listing” of his campaign contributors at his web site. The governor has clearly stated during his campaign and now as governor that he is all about “TRANSPARENCY”. That information needs to be posted to this site so that the world can clearly follow the money and kick back trail.
Will the world be surprise to find that William Koenig (WMK Mechanical Group, LLC) might have contributed to his campaign?
BY THE WAY: Speaking of KICK BACKS – Have WMK Mechanical Group, LLC, or any other construction contractors that were awarded contracts by this administration performed any work at Commissioner Smalls’s new mansion that’s under construction?
The public is now aware that WMK Mechanical Group, LLC, did in fact perform work at the Governor’s private residence that was NOT specified in the government contract funded by public funds.
What about Commissioner Smalls?
Let the chips fall where they may. WE ARE ALL ABOUT FACTS AND LINKS TO FACTS!
The Governor’s morality and integrity was already evident prior to taking office. This statement has come to past by way of the Governor’s personal misdeeds and conscious decisions that are now being undercover to the world.
Written by Tradewinds Staff
Monday, 30 October 2006
http://www.demmansay.com/files/Florida_Sex_Scandal_Involving_Little_St.pdf
Campaign Money Returned
While several major political candidates in New York, Connecticut and New Mexico returned campaign contributions to Epstein after details of the criminal investigation first became known in April 2006, Epstein’s connection to a U.S. Virgin Islands politician
surfaced just weeks before the upcoming election in a story in the St. Croix Avis on October 22.
Epstein, who declares the USVI as his residence as a participant in the territory’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) program to secure significant tax breaks,
employs the wife of Democratic nominee for USVI Governor John deJongh as director of the charitable foundation he funds as a requirement of the EDA program. Ironically, the only published report of Cecile deJongh’s relationship with Ep-stein came in a March 2006 coverage of a physics symposium for several hundred high school
students on St. Thomas by the V.I. Daily News and an on-line St. Thomas news service.
Cecile deJongh was identified at the time as “Director of the J. Epstein Virgin Islands
Foundation.”
DeJongh Responds
“I understand these questions have to be asked,” deJongh told the St. Croix Avis when asked about his wife’s continued employment by Epstein’s foundation.
“It’s just a job, that’s all,” said deJongh, who has waged a strong anti-crime campaign. “ I
think it’s highly appropriate she continue there.”
The St. Croix Avis report has been criticized by deJongh supporters and members of the St. Thomas media as “yellow journalism” and politically-motivated. A guest writer for the V.I. Daily News, in an October 25 column headlined “DeJongh camp should ignore11th-hour ‘dirty tricks’ smear,” called the St. Croix Avis report “below-the-belt journalistbushwhacking.”
Case Turned Over To FBI
The Florida case has been turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to Palm Beach Police Detective Joe Recarey. The FBI in Palm Beach could not be reached for information on whether their investigation would include Epstein’s transportation of young women to the USVI or the financier’s residency or EDA tax status in the USVI.
Epstein’s residency in the USVI for tax purposes has been the subject of New York City reporting in the past, some of which contributed to recent changes in the residency requirements for EDA participants promulgated by the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS), according to the New York Sun. EDA participants are now required to spend a minimum average of 183 days per year in the territory to qualify for the program’s tax benefits.
“But whatever one’s view of the Virgin Islands tax breaks from a public policy perspective, Mr. Epstein seems to have demonstrated by his own behavior that the
program didn’t require him to be resident in the Virgin Islands enough to prevent him from getting in trouble elsewhere” according to a July 28, 2006, editorial in the New York Sun.
Was Police Commissioner McCall a fall guy and escape goat for Governor deJongh out of control crime rates in the Virgin Islands? Crime remains out of control.
The buck stops with the “GOVERNOR”. Then again how could the governor stop anything when newly released public information has pointed towards his own personal involvement in potential corruption since taking office in 2007?
Pleas were made to the governor and Senator Sammuel Sanes to reconsider firing Commissioner McCall. Was McCall secretly investigating the governor in cooperation with federal authority?
Don’t remove Police Commissioner McCall
Krista Schluderman
Thursday, May 14th 2009
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article?id=17635772
“Until recently, the bad guys have been winning control of our territory. The bad guys have been very smart, but not as smart as our dedicated brass. You take away McCall, you let the bad guys win.”
Do the public also have a need to bring into question the judgment and recent decisions of Senator Sanes. Didn’t Senator Sanes recently praised Commissioner Smalls on the floor of the senate on July 9, 2009, for defending the governor’s use of public funds on his private residence.
It has just come to me that the people on this website are the racists who were for the Constitution. I like arguing on this website though.
“The only fair way to clear up the confusion and rumors surrounding this issue is to hold full public hearings and lay all facts on the table.” Governor John de Jongh
http://stthomassource.com/content/community/election-2006/2006/10/11/fyi-dejongh-wants-public-hearings-vitelco