From left: Former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal, and current Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White are facing federal indictments in connection with a fraud case. Photo: VI CONSORTIUM

Martinez, O'Neal, and White are slated to be indicted on Thursday, January 9, 2025, and are expected to appear in court on Friday, according to individuals who spoke on condition of anonymity. The indictments have been widely discussed in the community following federal investigations reported by The Consortium, which led to the resignations of Mr Martinez and Ms O'Neal, while Mr White retained his position.

The Consortium first broke the story on June 15, 2024, reporting on the federal investigation involving Martinez. The former commissioner confirmed to The Consortium that he had received a target letter from federal agents, indicating he was under investigation in connection with a federal crime.

On the same day, The Consortium revealed that former Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal had been served a search warrant and subpoena by federal agents while in Florida.

The following day, on June 16, 2024, The Consortium reported that FBI agents had seized the cellphone of DSPR Commissioner Calvert White as part of a wave of federal criminal investigations sweeping the Virgin Islands.

$1.8M bid

Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Consortium that Mr White was being investigated in connection with a $1.8 million bid issued by DSPR for the installation of cameras on DSPR-owned facilities. The bid was awarded to Mon Ethos Pro Support, or MEPSVI — the same company believed to have been awarded several VIPD contracts.

Although a contract was never executed between DSPR and Mon Ethos, federal agents were probing potential interactions between White and company principals. Agents requested all documents related to the bidding process as part of their investigation, utilizing data collected from White’s cellphone.

Calls to Mr Martinez and Mr White were not immediately returned, and Ms O'Neal declined to comment.

The details of the case remain sealed but are anticipated to be made public this week.