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USVI governor calls for resignations amid FBI probe into misuse of funds

USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr has called for the resignations of USVI Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal following an ongoing federal investigation into potential misuse of funds. Photo: VIC
USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. His Government is washing their hands clean of the predicament Mr Ray Martinez and Ms Jenifer O'Neal. Photo: USVI Gov't
USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. His Government is washing their hands clean of the predicament Mr Ray Martinez and Ms Jenifer O'Neal. Photo: USVI Gov't
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- US Virgin Islands Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr has called for the resignations of US Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal following an ongoing federal investigation into potential misuse of funds.

According to VI Consortium, as of 2:00 pm, Martinez’s resignation had been accepted “to ensure the integrity of our enforcement laws,” according to an official statement.

“We will fully cooperate with the federal investigation and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability within the Virgin Islands government,” read a statement sent to The Source on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Currently, it is known that Martinez was recently served a letter designating him as the target of the investigation and had his personal cell phone seized, which Government House confirmed he had reported. O’Neal, while in Orlando, was also subpoenaed in connection with the matter and has surrendered her phone.

O'Neal is from Virgin Gorda in the [British] Virgin Islands.

Cyber security contract

Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, according to VI Consortium, have revealed that the investigation focuses on a cybersecurity and surveillance contract awarded by VIPD to a company that allegedly provided Martinez with funding for an eatery he has been planning to open on St Thomas. There are questions about whether the contract was awarded using federal ARPA funds and if a family member of O’Neal is involved with the company that secured the contract.

The USVI Attorney General is expected to address the situation at a press conference scheduled by Government House on Monday. Officials emphasised Sunday that the administration maintains “a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.”

12 Responses to “USVI governor calls for resignations amid FBI probe into misuse of funds”

  • All of them.. (16/06/2024, 17:42) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who refused to resign should be fired, no room and place in the people's house for those people who have obviously mislead, deceived and steel from their people all to satisfy their selfishness and greed..
  • WOW (16/06/2024, 18:25) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    She caught that virus from the VIP or NDP?
  • jack (16/06/2024, 18:37) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Make her the FS in the bvi
  • Fam (16/06/2024, 18:44) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    Jennifer did nothing wrong we rooting for her in the bvi
  • Forbidden Truth (16/06/2024, 19:39) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I'm sorry but Adelbert government does not have any zero tolerance policy against corruption or else he himself should have resigned months ago. Let the chips fall where they may. He's trying to play hard ball knowing full well he dropped the ball several times since being elected.
  • wish yo luck (16/06/2024, 21:16) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    Gyal you geh mix up r@$$

  • james (16/06/2024, 22:19) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Meantime we have a previous elected government official , who rots in a miami detention facility, awaiting a possible hefty prison sentence for criminal acts while on government dime time and dollar……with no intent for our local DPP to prosecute for these unlawful acts.
  • The watchdog (17/06/2024, 01:10) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Free the drew
  • Virgen Nity (17/06/2024, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    That family has gum in their hands or shoemaker's cement, they are slowly disintegrating like a race car
  • Asking For Myself (17/06/2024, 09:04) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    How come only Jennifer is being asked to resigned? Is she a scape goat?


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