Hiring Freeze: Lots of Chiefs in Justice
Today we take a look at more than $500,000 in salaries and benefits that have been added to the payroll of the Department of Justice during the “freeze.”
Justice is the most critical partner of law enforcement. Without efficient prosecution, effective law enforcement is severely compromised. And for that, you need a solid group of prosecutors – and that’s where we expect the budget should be spent.
Instead, in what we’ve been able to gather, we see more evidence of top-heavy staffing with more emphasis on bureaucracy and support than prosecution. And if these large dollars are being spent there should be some visible results. Nearly $200,000 of the positions highlighted here are for a Director and Assistant Director of Corrections – and the only significant activity we’re aware of in this area is the deportation of local inmates to stateside facilities.
CIF would welcome a full roster of the Department’s resources – perhaps there is some balance in personnel we cannot see based on the documents we’ve been able to obtain.
As a final note, we are still working to obtain the financial disclosure forms we requested from Atty. General Vincent Frazer on August 4. To date, we have received no response. We will keep you posted.
SEEN HERE IN THIS PHOTO IS GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR., CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY, AND HIS GOVERNMENT HOUSE SPOKE JEAN GREAUX.
http://picasaweb.google.com/usvigovhousephotos.com/GOVERNMENT12252008CHRISTMASDAYPROGRAMATEMANCIPATIONGARDEN02#slideshow/5288576152935157330
JEAN GREAUX CHALLENGED A VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC OFFICIAL THAT, IF EVIDENCE AGAINST HIS BOSS EXIST, TO BRING IT FORWARD TO PROPER AUTHORITY. WHAT JEAN GREAUX CONVENIENTLY OMITTED FROM HIS PRESS STATEMENT WAS HIS BOSS AS THE CHAIRMAN, VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY, DID NOT HAVE ANY DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE THAT HIS BOARD HAD GIVEN HIM ANY AUTHORITY AS GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO DISBURSED “PUBLIC FUNDS” FROM THE PFA TO ENHANCE HIS PRIVATE ESTATE.
http://cruciansinfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/gov_house_press_release_slanderous_remarks.pdf
THE VI CODE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE GOVERNOR IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PFA AND “SHALL” CALL MEETINGS TO DISCUSS AUTHORITY MATTERS.
THE VI CODE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE GOVERNOR’S PFA SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO FINANCE OR APPLY IT FUNDS ONLY TO THOSE PROJECT SPECIFICALLY APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.
THE VI CODE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE GOVERNOR, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PFA, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO PERSONAL OR CIVIL LIABILITY RESULTING FROM THE EXERCISE OF HIS AUTHORITY’S DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES IF WILLFUL WRONGDOING OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE IS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
THE VI CODE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE GOVERNOR, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PFA, SHALL KEEP WRITTEN TRANSCRIPTS OF ALL OF HIS AUTHORITY PROCEEDINGS AND SUCH TRANSCRIPTS SHALL BE CONSIDERED “PUBLIC DOCUMENTS”. THE GOVERNOR’S PFA TRANSCRIPTS “SHALL” BE TRANSCRIBED NO LATER THAT “30 DAYS AFTER” THE DATE OF THE PROCEEDING DURING WHICH THEY WERE TAKEN.
JULY 6, 2009, A SUBPOENA DUCE TECUM WAS APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF THE TWENTY-EIGHT LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE, SENATOR NEVILLE JAMES, FORWARDED TO THE PFA THROUGH JULITO FRANCIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, A LEGISLATIVE SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM WHICH CLEARLY STATED:
(1) YOU ARE HEREBY “REQUIRED” TO PRODUCE THE BELOW-MENTIONED DOCUMENTS…REGARDING REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS USING PUBLIC FUNDS AT THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR. AND TO PROVIDE “ALL” DOCUMENTS INCLUDING, “BUT NOT LIMITED TO”, BIDS, BID SCHEDULES, CONTRACTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACTS PERTAINING TO:
(A) THE REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS USING PUBLIC FUNDS AT THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR.
(2) THE SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM IS DIRECTED TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS OF LAW: REVISED ORGANIC ACT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, VI CODE, RULES OF THE 28TH LEGISLATURE OF THE VI.
http://www.legvi.org/GovHouseSecDocuments2/FSICA%20Subpoena%20documents/Committee%27s%20Documents%20Request%20&%20Transcript/Sen.%20Neville%20James%20letters%20to%20Dept.%20Heads.pdf
JULY 28, 2009, PFA DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, JULITO A. FRANCIS, RESPONDED ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRMAN, PFA TO THE SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM – DATED JULY 16, 2009. MR. FRANCIS SAY “PLEASE FIND ATTACHED THE INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THE SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM, DATED JULY 16, 2009. CONTRARY TO THE INFORMATION IN THE SUBPOENA, THE MEASURES IN WHICH THE FUNDS WERE UTILIZED WERE FOR THE SECURITY OF THE FIRST FAMILY AND NOT REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS OR IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONG, JR.” IN THIS RESPONSE MR. FRANCIS ALLEGES THAT THE “PFA” ONLY DISBURSED A TOTAL OF $443,766.26 IN PUBLIC FUNDS FOR SECURITY OF THE “FIRST FAMILY” AND FAILED TO MENTION THAT HIS CHAIRMAN, GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR., WAS ALSO THE RECIPIENT OF THESE PUBLIC FUNDS.
http://www.legvi.org/GovHouseSecDocuments2/FSICA%20Subpoena%20documents/Agencies%27%20Transactions/Public%20Finance%20Authority%20files/Julito%20Francis%20to%20Sen.%20Neville%20James%207-28-09.PDF
NO WHERE IN THE CHAIRMAN, PFA, RESPONSE TO THE LEGISLATIVE SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM DID HE CHALLENGE THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORITY TO SUBPOENA “PUBLIC DOCUMENTS” FROM HIS AUTHORITY. ONE THING THAT IS CERTAIN IS THAT THE CHAIRMAN, PFA, FAILED TO ENSURE THAT ALL REQUESTED SUBPOENA PUBLIC DOCUMENTS WERE RETURNED TO THE LEGISLATURE AS ORDERED.
NO DOCUMENTED PFA EVIDENCE WAS RETURNED TO THE LEGISLATURE TO SUBSTANTIATE THAT THE CHAIRMAN, PFA, HAD CONVENED ANY AUTHORITY MEETINGS WITH REGARDS TO PUBLIC FUNDS BEING USED TO ENHANCE HIS PRIVATE RESIDENCE WITH SECURITY FEATURES. THE VI CODE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE “CHAIRMAN” SHALL CALL MEETINGS TO DISCUSS AUTHORITY MATTERS AND TRANSCRIPTS OF THOSE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE 30 DAYS FOLLOWING THE PROCEEDINGS. THE CHAIRMAN, PFA RESPONSE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY TRANSCRIPTS OR EVIDENCE THAT “HE” CHAIRMAN OF THE PFA HELD ANY MEETINGS TO SEEK A “QUORUM” THAT WAS NECESSARY TO DISBURSE PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE PFA TO ENHANCE HIS PRIVATE ESTATE.
http://www.legvi.org/GovHouseSecDocuments2/FSICA%20Subpoena%20documents/Agencies%27%20Transactions/Public%20Finance%20Authority%20files/
UNLESS GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR. CAN PRODUCE DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE THAT “HE” AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PFA FOLLOWED GUIDELINES OUTLINED IN THE VI CODE FOR “HIS” RESPONSIBILITIES AS CHAIRMAN OF PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY, HE CAN BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR HIS CONDUCT AND MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
FOR THE REASONS MENTIONED ABOVE, ANY FURTHER DELAYS BY MEMBERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 28TH LEGISLATURE WILL CONSTITUTE A PERSONAL OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE ON YOUR BEHALF’S. A DERELICTION OF YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN NOT FOLLOWING THE LAWS PRESCRIBED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE IS ASSUMED BY THE PUBLIC DUE TO YOUR LACK OF ACTION. YOU ALSO HAVE A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD THE LAWS AND PURSUE INJUSTICES ON BEHALF OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY WHERE “PUBLIC FUNDS” MAY HAVE BEEN MISUSED WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY OF THE LAW.
THIS INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ENDS WITH THE WORDS OF JEAN GREAUX:
“If Senator Donastorg believes that he has evidence that such funds were used then he should do what any citizen of the Territory should do when he, or she, believes that the law is being broken, and that is to contact the proper legal authorities, such as the Attorney General, or the Inspector General, and present that evidence.”
PROPER LEGAL AUTHORITIES READS CRUCIANS IN FOCUS AND IS HEREBY CONTACTED BECAUSE THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE BEING BROKEN BY GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR.
THE WORLD IS WATCHING.
THERE ARE “NO” DEFINITIONS OR LAWS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT SPECIFICALLY MAKE REFERENCE TO THE TERM “FIRST FAMILY” BEING ENTITLED TO ANYTHING. THERE IS “NO” PROVISIONS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE OR THE REVISED ORGANIC ACT OF 1954 THAT GIVES THE GOVERNOR ANY AUTHORITY TO MAKE ANY SPECIAL PROVISIONS OR IMPROVEMENTS TO HIS PRIVATE RESIDENCE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF A “FIRST FAMILY”. THE ORGANIC ACT OF 1954 CLEARLY STATES THAT THE “GOVERNOR SHALL” MAINTAIN “HIS” OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON SAINT THOMAS DURING HIS INCUMBENCY.
Revised Organic Act of 1954
§ 11. [Governor and Lieutenant Governor; election; powers and duties generally]
“The Governor shall maintain his official residence in the Government House on Saint Thomas during his incumbency, which house, together with land appurtenant thereto, is hereby transferred to the government of the Virgin Islands. While in Saint Croix the Governor may reside in Government House on Saint Croix, which house, together with land appurtenant thereto is also transferred to the government of the Virgin Islands.”
PFA JULITO FRANCIS SAID ON BEHALF OF HIS CHAIRMAN “THE MEASURES IN WHICH THE FUNDS WERE UTILIZED WERE FOR THE SECURITY OF THE FIRST FAMILY”. JULITO FRANCIS WENT ON TO SAY “AND NOT REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR.”
http://www.legvi.org/GovHouseSecDocuments2/FSICA%20Subpoena%20documents/Agencies%27%20Transactions/Public%20Finance%20Authority%20files/Julito%20Francis%20to%20Sen.%20Neville%20James%207-28-09.PDF
WELL MR. FRANCIS, IF NO REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR JOHN P. DE JONGH, JR., WHO THEN IS THIS “FIRST FAMILY” THAT YOU MADE REFERENCE TO IN YOUR JULY 28, 2009, LETTER WHERE PUBLIC FUNDS WERE USED FOR THEIR PERSONAL SECURITY? WHERE YOU INSTRUCTED BY YOUR CHAIRMAN, GOVERNOR JOHN P. DE JONGH, JR., TO TURN OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS TO HIS WIFE CECILE DE JONGH AND HER CHILDREN?
MR. FRANCIS, YOUR JULY 28, 2009, LETTER THAT YOU MADE PART OF AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY GOVERNOR JOHN P. DE JONGH, JR. “IS” THE SMOKING GUN OF “MAFOLIEGATE” BECAUSE THERE IS “NO” SUCH LAWS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT ALLOW ANY SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE DISBURSED BY THE PFA FOR SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS FOR A “FIRST FAMILY”.
GOVERNOR JOHN P. DEJONGH, JR., YOU’RE BUSTED!
There is one other expense somewhere lingering; what about the painting and airconditioning of both structures. Hint! Hint! The Governor had the contractors paint his main residence and resurfaced the pool in exchange for the change orders. Just ask Balbo the contractor. This stuff never cease to amaze me. The Governor could spend all this money on his private residence but not all the schools on St. Croix. Can the Lt. Governor use some of this money on his private house on St. Croix as well? Or is he too occupied these days trying to find an explanation for that $5,000 dollar check he got for a special favor? Hmmmm…things are really getting hot. Governor…..your really busted and its only a matter of time.
The Feds are preparing to launch a massive round up! God speed federal agents.
It’s a very sad day in the Virgin Islands when we rejoice in the federal government coming in to save us.
It’s not a sad day, because our local government officials are too corrupted, therefore thank God we have a way of combating this bad injustice. I say we have the right to rejoice that there is another way to fight the ones that take advantage of the privileges we give them as a public servants. Hip Hip Hurray!
I agree with Queen Coziah that it’s sad when we sit back and wait for someone to come down and fight our battles. It reminds me of the recent Turks and Caikos corruption incident. People were actually quoted by the BBC as saying they were upset that the British government took so long to step in. Sadly, we are no different. This is a prime example of why we are not ready for a change of political status. We are severely lacking in political maturity.
I agree with Queen Coziah and Busted on this one. Although we need the Federal Gov’t in term of funding local programs and conducting investigations on ceratin crime cases, the idea of the Feds taking over the VI is very frightening indeed. That would means that all the accomplishments that Virgin Islanders from previous generations have made from emancipation from Denmark to the Organic Act would be gone. What happenned to VI Housing Authority after HUD took over may be a preview of what’s to come.
We need to stop calling this a hiring freeze? What would be more accurate?
I first heard about all the new employees back in April at Senator Donastorg’s press conference and it seems like a lot of people have been hired since then. Why isn’t the media investigating this? How can the Governor keep saying there is a hiring freeze and hiring more people? Are we all supposed to play dumb or what?
I agree with Queen C, Busted and T.
Gov. De Jongh has taken more than money from us. The trust and faith we put in our own local leadership has been betrayed. How does this make us feel about ourselves?
We really needed to take a strong stand to self-correct. We should have attempted a recall, even if it failed. We should have shown up at public gatherings with placards (like those crazy protesters against the health bill… at least we would have a better cause.) We are unable to discipline our own elected officials and we will suffer the shame. Imagine… the only black-majority government, except for Washington DC, with a proud history and culture to preserve cannot produce leaders with character!!!!
Crucian to my Heart I agree we need to expose our VI officials to the world so that it will stop any other public officials from taking advantage of their people. Yeah the federal take over is not likely, but we need extra help to expose the wrong in this community we are too attached by family relations or friendships that we only give slap on the risk appraoch. We need not be afraid to call out and expose corruption just because of our personal ties to the individuals. Sometimes we need a outside force to take charge of these kind of situations.
Someone has already said it somewhere on this blog but it is definitely worth repeating. “We are the change that we have been waiting for.”
We tried it it does not work, I have lost faith in my peoples ability to make this “CHANGE.” That’s what Dewolf brought to the table,AND PULL THE WOOL OVER THE EYES OF HIS FAITHFUL SUPPORTERS. Who can we trust when he has lined the pockets of the ones who should be protecting us. Even the media has turn a blinded eye, sorry i can’t belive that we have the capability. We need outside intervention now.
I am appalled at the additional positions added to the ‘investigations unit’ headed up by McCall (who makes $97K). What, if any investigations have they done? Surly nothing implicating the governor and his administration, although several crimes have been committed in the way of money for personal use. Two more weeks and counting since Nelville promised us he would set up an investigation of the spending at the governor’s private residence. His office received all the documents on July 28th…….Nelville said he would get a hearing in two month’s time. Wanna bet he NEVER gets it done?
Also, has anyone noticed how the morning radio talk show with Morgan is sounding like an extension of John Greaux’s spin? Morgan is getting something out of his recent outlook on the administration. He cuts off those who criticize the governor, Steve Nisky the same on Friday’s show.
The feds took over the V.I. in 1917.
There’s no take over, we want them to investigate and expose the corruption and we will take it from there and prosecute the corrupted. The unwillingness of our people to stand due to friendships and family connection has cause the corruption to go out of control. Let’s face it we need the help. Who is going to stand up alone against this well organized cabal of thieves.
If the AG’s office (aka the Judicial Branch of Government) is appointed by the head of the Executive Branch (aka the Governor), then it is operating neither independently nor objectively and there is no such thing as separation of powers. All three branches are indistinguishable if the governor always gets his way.
you are absolutely correct Annie. This seems to be the trend. It appears that the individuals hired are not the sharpest knife in the drawer. The gov. knows this. Therefore, he is in control. They have to do it his way, they are being paid big salaries to do so. I keep asking, whatever happened to the 500+ resumes he said they received when he first took office? Clearly, they were not utilized in hi s administration. Look around us, he kept the same old garbage and recycled trash from previous administrations. Look back throughout the years, it is the same people all the time…..Same people….same results…..they just marching to the tune of whatever beat comes from the hill! The change begins and ends with us. We can raise all the he** we want here, but unless we take that fire into the voting booth on election day, we subscribing to more of the same. I am a TRUE Virgin Islander, not the native or ancestral kind, a TRUE one who believe and care about my islands and will be taking BOLD and DECISIVE action on election day! Please join me.
Frenchie;
I will definitely be joining you in this upcoming election.This mess that we are in the Virgin Islands today is because we were listening to the other candidates.They wanted a first lady, a banker, businessman and a family man. We got all that and a corrupted government.
“When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it.”
Frederic Bastiat