Jenifer O'Neal, Ray Martinez, and Calvert White appeared in District Court on Friday for their initial and arraignment hearings. Benjamin Hendricks was also present for the proceedings, though we were unable to capture a photo of him. Photo: Ernice Gilbert/ VI Consortium

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

Handcuffed and shackled before Judge Alan Teague, they all pleaded not guilty to bribery and fraud charges connected to contracts involving Mon Ethos Pro Support. The local company is formerly owned and operated by David Whitaker, who himself pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges in connection with his dealings with Mr Martinez.

The alleged scheme

Two indictments were issued by a grand jury earlier this week. The first, naming Mr Martinez and Ms O'Neal as defendants, alleges that the former high-ranking government employees worked together with Mr Whitaker to pad Mon Ethos invoices with bogus charges and push them through the procurement process. The extra money received from the government would then be spent, prosecutors say, on lavish trips, cash bribes, and other inducements for Martinez and O'Neal. 

The indictment, which describes the scheme in significant detail, includes alleged text messages and phone calls between the defendants and Mr Whitaker. In one exchange, Mr Martinez reportedly instructed Mr Whitaker to pad a Mon Ethos invoice submitted to the VIPD by $70,000. Mr Whitaker also reportedly recorded meetings that he had with the senior government officials. One such recording, prosecutors say, captures Ms O'Neal agreeing to accept goods as bribes instead of cash. The indictment against the pair comes amidst reliable reports of failed plea negotiations between the parties.

Bribes

The allegations against Mr White and Mr Hendricks are that the DSPR commissioner also pressed Mr Whitaker for bribes, using Mr Hendricks as a go-between to make demands and attempt to conceal his tracks. As in the case against Mr Martinez and Ms O'Neal, prosecutors say they have text messages and recorded calls and meetings involving the defendants to support the allegations. 

In one such call, Mr White reportedly told Mr Whitaker that he needed to speak to “Benji” about an urgent matter, as a project for which Mon Ethos had submitted a bid would soon be up for consideration. Soon afterwards, Benjamin Hendricks allegedly approached Mr Whitaker while he was at work on St Croix to inform him that Mr White would need $16,000 to ensure that the Mon Ethos bid prevailed. After that meeting, Mr White allegedly contacted Mr Whitaker by WhatsApp to verify that he had received the message. Mr White is also alleged to have shared confidential details about the other bids with Mr Whitaker. In recorded phone calls, he is alleged to have stated that he's “been doing this for a while.” Prosecutors say Mr Whitaker only ended up sending $5,000 to a bank account controlled by Mr Hendricks, “partial payment for the contract” allegedly noted on the wire transfer.

In court on Friday, the Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner was presented with one count of an honest services wire fraud scheme, and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Mr Hendricks, as Mr White's alleged partner in the scheme, is also facing the same charges. Attempts to reach Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr for comment on the indictment against his cabinet member were unsuccessful.

Bribery charge against former USVI CoP

Meanwhile, former commissioner Martinez is facing one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, two counts of obstruction of justice, and one count of participating in a money laundering conspiracy with Ms O'Neal. They jointly face five counts of an honest services wire fraud scheme, while Ms O'Neal faces her own count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. 

After receiving their not guilty pleas and requests for a speedy, public jury trial, Judge Carney granted all four defendants bail in the form of a $10,000 unsecured bond. They will each have to surrender their passports, and will further be restricted from leaving the territory without prior written authorization from the court. Mr Martinez surrendered his two firearms, while the judge approved a request that his wife, who is an active duty VIPD officer, be allowed to keep possession of a firearm. However, the weapon must be secured in a safe. 

See previous article published January 9, 2025

Martinez, O'Neal & White face Federal Indictments in Mon Ethos Fraud Case

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 involving Mon Ethos founder David Whitaker, who has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery, multiple sources confirmed to The 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.