It Was An “Oversight?”
Why did it take 30 months for the Public Finance Authority to approve the “reprogrammed” funds that paid for the renovations at Governor John deJongh’s private residence?
It was an “oversight.”
Six hours of testimony in the long anticipated “Mafoliegate Part II” hearing ended with Sen. Neville James telling members of the PFA board who testified that what they classified as an oversight was at best gross negligence and worst, smacked of conspiracy.
Nearly 2 ½ hours into the hearing held Tuesday by the Committee on Financial Services, Infrastructure and Community Affairs, members of the PFA board were called to account for the delay in addressing the appropriations of Act 6917, the road repair funds appropriated in March, 2007, that ended up funding the renovations at the Governor’s Estate Mafolie.
Under questioning by several of the Committee members, current and former members of the board unanimously agreed that the lack of action on the resolution was simply an “oversight” and that their decision to act on the matter in October of 2009 was a result of an inquiry by their legal counsel, Jim Hindels, who brought it to their attention last fall. By then, they said, it was a “housekeeping” matter, an assertion that left the Committee nearly speechless, and Sen. James said that explanation was not sufficient.
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Representing the PFA board were Angel Dawson, Jr., executive director and Commissioner of the Department of Finance; Debra Gottlieb, secretary and Director of the Office of Management and Budget; board members Pablo O’Neil and Keith O’Neale; and former members Claudette Watson-Anderson and Austin Nibbs.Â
Senators Nellie O’Reilly, Terrence “Positive” Nelson, Usie Richards , Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg and Chairman James sharply questioned the board members on the delay in acting on funds that had been appropriated in March 2007 and had been spent by the time the board met last October to formalize the resolution. Sen. Celestino White asked whether they knew the funds were being used for anything other than road repair projects.
O’Reilly focused on the apparent lack of knowledge the board had when approving the resolution, even though the public controversy around the use of public funds for the Mafolie residence was wisespread by the time action was taken.
Donastorg’s questioning focused on the fact that the Governor is Chairman of the PFA and entertained the motion to approve the resolution knowing that public funds from that appropriation had been used to renovate his home and that although the vote approving the resolution was reported as unanimous; there was no record of individual votes, just a “chorus of ayes.” Legislative Legal Counsel Yvonne Tharpes stated that the method of voting violated the rules of procedure for the PFA and that the “chorus of ayes” approach might render the resolution invalid.
Richards, Nelson and James all questioned the board on the delay in action and their professed lack of knowledge by October, 2009, that any of the funds had been used to enhance a private residence. Nelson also spoke strongly about his concern that the Virgin Islands treasury, through actions like those being investigated, is being “raided as we speak” and also questioned the involvement of the PFA board with Sen. Carlton “Ital” Dowe, who was copied on correspondence on these matters that was not shared with other members of the Legislature prior to their vote on Act 6917.
The Committee encountered an unexpected obstacle with the first testifier, Cherrie Wallace-Cole, PFA Bonds Proceeds Manager, who refused to testify on advice of her personal attorney. Ms. Wallace-Cole, who is not a party in any litigation pending in this matter, repeatedly refused to answer questions, including neutral inquiries about her salary and job responsibilities. Her behavior was classified as “arrogant” and “disrespectful” and Chairman James said the advice of her attorney was “weak, pathetically weak.”
Dawson, who was asked late in the hearing if he approved of Cole’s behavior, quickly said she was not acting in her role as a PFA employee when refusing to testify, but that she was protecting herself as an “individual.”
Shortly after midnight, James said he would determine whether any further testimony was necessary but that he was ready to “take action” during the next committee meeting.
At end of its proceeding, on Sen. Nelson’s motion, the Committee voted to submit their ultimate findings to the US Attorney’s office. Senators N. James, Nelson, Donastorg and O’Reilly voted yes. Senators White, W. James and Michael Thurland were absent.
The U.S. Attorney will laugh when he sees the “evidence” collected.The Senate appropriated the funds through the mastermind of Sen. Dowe! He is a genius. deJongh should make Dowe his Cheif of Staff in his next term or the Finance Commissioner. Dowe has talent! What a brilliant politician, and he has never been to law school.Dowe, take your bow. Nelson, go home!
Clearly, deJongh won the battle last night.
Last night was not the time for some senators to ask the legal counsel for guidance as to the powers of the legislature. They should have known that question long before the hearing began.
Senator James lacks effective control of his majority and of his committee. That fact was evident last night.
Clearly, Senator James lacked a strategy of engagement.
The governor (on the other hand) proved to have a better strategy and was able to stall the committee with a single minor player, the defient “Lady” Cole.
In the end, Senator Donastorg has been proven to be correct once again: Senator Neville James would not of been “b****-slapped” if he had listened to Donastorg and had hired a “Special Prosecutor.”
Clearly, deJongh won the battle last night.
Last night was not the time for some senators to ask the legal counsel for guidance as to the powers of the legislature. They should have known that question long before the hearing began.
Senator James lacks effective control of his majority and of his committee. That fact was evident last night.
Clearly, Senator James lacked a strategy of engagement.
The governor (on the other hand) proved to have a better strategy and was able to stall the committee with a single minor player, the defiant “Lady” Cole.
In the end, Senator Donastorg has been proven correct once again: Senator Neville James would not have been disrespected if he had listened to Donastorg and had hired a “Special Prosecutor.”
Ok…. NEL is ignorant of politics if they are trying to compare this To Rod Blagojevich of Illinois. That was downright illegal and doesn’t compare at all with this. I don’t care that the governor used public funds because turnbull dis the same but I am still voting against him. Mapp/Donastorg/Nelson/Luz James 2010!!
Not, ignorant. What that Gov. did was no more illegal, than what our Gov. has done.
Former Gov. Turnbull built a small security booth on his property. Now the question that should clamor for answer is did he use government funds in which to do it? To not care only gives all elected officials the green light to use our money any way they see fit, with no regards for the needs of the people.
When is the governor going to jail? How can this governor be so powerful? If has committed a crime, he should be charged.
We have to vote for Foncie. He’s getting his online diploma sometime this year.
Which Institute is is this time? Remeber the one from Madison doesn’t count.
Fancie,help me i no get a high school dipluma andd me want too get one. Me vot for de Fancie. Tel me whe to buy me dipluma. i done get me registraisiun card to vot. I like Fancie he pretty, nuh? da wolf too hairy fo me and mop too mean he no give da food to hungry peoplebut Fancie me like me no worree bout free food Fancie no live in he own house he no need big house he fo small brain people liltle people yung people me like pretty people too dem people with degree and big brain me no like
That is funny.
Mean, but funny.
We will see how many of those “small-brain” people you are teasing will make Dejongh a one time Governor.
By the way? Where did Dejongh get his degree from? He seems to be FAILING in all aspects as Governor and is a TERRIBLE buisness man.
I would NEVER want my children to attend that institution. After all, look at the MESS of a Governor/Dejongh it has helped to produce. Dejongh is a HORRIBLE JOKE!
PS: This is posted by an individual that has been fortunate in obtaining a higher-education from the premiere HBCU (Historically Black College/University).
I am not as smart as you or do I have a degree from a prestigious university.I dropped out of an IVY League law school, though.
It is my understanding that deJongh obtained a MBA from Yale University. He graduated Summa cum laude and once served as the Finance Commissioner in two previous administrations. I hope my grandchildren follow his example. My sons decided to become medical docters and remain in Washington, D.C.
I did manage to pass the VI Bar exam after attending law school in Florida. In my legal opinion, deJongh has been a business sauvvy governor and knows how to get his team to negrotiate contracts. If you ask Mario, the talk show host, he will tell you that the Alpine contract is the best contract from any administration. Mario endorses the Alpine project which is another one of deJongh’s accomplishment.Our grandchildren will not have to pay an enormous WAPA Bill. This is the WAPA Consumer Rescue Act of the 21st century!
My understanding is that John deJongh graduated from a liberal arts school called Antioch University in Ohio, and that he only get as far as bachalors in Economics. That college has recently shut down.
All your sarcasm will not extinguish the unrelenting fires of Mafoliegate and now Lotterygate!
Please note that wolves are wild creatures and are not easily domesticated like dogs.Wolves prefer living outdoors, like to hunt mostly at nights, mark their territory(USVI??) and follow the pack.They are often kept as exotic pets. Beware! Wolves in captivity or those living indoors often become arrogant and forget where they once resided.
Wolves that live closely with humans have the ability to transform into a human form. There is strong evidence that the Governor broke away from his pack and has metamorphosed into a heterosexual human male.This royal-thinking(forward) wolf is impersonating your governor.
Here are 5 tips to capturing the royal wolf and putting him out of office (send him packing):
1.Make sure he is well-groomed and his nails are clipped. Wolves can dig extremely large tunnels and climb tall fences/towering gates.
2.Keep uncooked flesh away from him, especially pork.Wolves become stronger by eating raw meat.
3.Congregate closely to him and give him claustrophobia. Wolves require a great deal of space for comfort.
4.Prevent him from bonding with his running mate.The running mate gets too loyal and get more followers of the duo-pack.Francis might be a wolf, just a weaker one than the governor.It is important that they be separated.
5.Secure small pets such as puppies,guppies, pussies. Wolves love to prey on small, innocent furry or cuddly creatures.
Um Brain-Teaser, DeJongh brought in Alpine to clean out our financial coffers and get a kick-back for how we wants to live down the road. What kind of idiot are you, natural or conformed?
I am a confirmed idiot like talk show host Mario. He loves the Alpine Project. Ask him if he thinks its a brilliant deal.
@t ‘Wolf Expert’: Do you know what a duck does when it flies up-side down? Man,it quacks up….and that’s what I’m doing right now.Quacking to hell up.One thang you forgot to mention though,
and that is,some wolves come dressed in sheep’s clothing.How do we sniff dem frauds out?
Brain-Teaser,
You appear to be as stupid as the you Governor support.
Ivy League, really? I think not, you are a liar. I doubt you even attended college.
You can’t even spell, for example: “negrotiate”, “sauvvy”, “docters”. You have got to be joking.
There’s no need to be jealous of ENOUGH!’s education, go out and try to get one of your own.
Also, let me clarify some things for you.
John Dejongh does NOT have a MBA from Yale. He has a bachelors in economics from a small liberals arts college in Ohio, which no longer exists.
The Alpine Deal will not help you with your ENORMOUS WAPA bill. Hugo Hodge Jr. himself gave an estimate of only a 10% deduction off the monthly WAPA bill.
Brain-Teaser, you are not an IVY league graduate, a law school graduate or have been fortunate enough to graduate from a prestigious HBCU. No, you are none of these things. What you are is a ridiculous pawn of a FAILING ADMINISTRAION which lacks, integrity, sophistication, and intelligence.
I know ENOUGH!, and with his brilliance, coupled with his education and pride of his ancestory. You would not be able to go one round with him. He chooses mostly to ignore, ignorance and stupidity (thus, why he has not replied to your comment). I on the other hand, as a retired gentleman, have all the time in the world to relay the message.
TKO (Title Knock Out)…..Know your place, Brain-Teaser, and stay in line.