Struggling residents will have new ways to get help under a law that received assent from Governor Daniel Pruce on Aug. 22, government announced. An amendment to the Public Assistance …
Civil service reform debated in House
Just ahead of the Saturday deadline for completing the Commission of Inquiry reforms, the House of Assembly has been debating a bill that would bring sweeping reforms to the …
HOA debating sweeping reforms for public service
A private register of interests for senior public officers. New integrity rules. The creation of a government department known as the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute. All are among …
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EDITORIAL: Opposition should stop resisting COI reforms
For decades, successive Virgin Islands governments have shamelessly wasted the public’s money by awarding pork-barrel contracts to cronies and other unqualified bidders. Last month, a divided House of Assembly barely …
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Virgin Islands heading for intense financial scrutiny, experts predict
The Virgin Islands is headed for increasingly intense international scrutiny despite a government drive to push through a raft of anti-financial-crime measures in the coming weeks, experts have warned. Deputy …
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HOA okays vetting law enforcers
Certain prison, customs and immigration officers could soon be subject to new vetting requirements under a bill the House of Assembly passed recently in accordance with a Commission of Inquiry …
HOA votes to amend 2021 integrity act
The House of Assembly voted Friday to amend a 2021 integrity law that never took effect and strengthen an Integrity Commission that was never established. The Integrity in Public Life …
HOA limits Cabinet’s power over contracts
Despite dissent from five opposition members, the House of Assembly narrowly voted on Tuesday to dramatically limit Cabinet’s discretion over contract awards in keeping with recommendations from the 2022 Commission …
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At trial, premier says Najan Christopher was ‘misguided’ but ‘trying her best’
When Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley took the stand last week in Najan Christopher’s criminal trial, her attorney asked him about the letter that landed Ms. Christopher before the court. …
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Fahie says US informant, not him, led drug conspiracy
Former premier Andrew Fahie is pushing back against prosecutors’ contention that he led a plan to smuggle cocaine into the United States, instead arguing that it was a Drug Enforcement …
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EDITORIAL: Recent assistance reforms a good starting point
Kudos to the House of Assembly for passing legislation this month to help reform social assistance in the territory. But leaders must not stop now. The Public Assistance (Amendment) Bill, …
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Guv’s inquiry bill sparks cries of ‘dictatorship’
On Tuesday in the House of Assembly, two legislators used the word “dictatorship” to decry a bill that Governor Daniel Pruce is proposing to modernise the Commission of Inquiry Act …
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HOA shoring up assistance programme
The House of Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that aims to further reform the Assistance Grants Programme, which has been dramatically revamped over the past two years in keeping with …
Veteran UK cop to oversee law, justice reforms
A 30-year veteran of the United Kingdom’s policing service has been named the “implementation manager” responsible for overseeing immediate priority reforms across the Virgin Islands’ law-enforcement and justice-administration agencies. Governor’s …
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US aims to jail Fahie for life
Last month, former premier Andrew Fahie asked a Miami judge to sentence him to the minimum 10 years in prison for conspiring to smuggle thousands of kilograms of cocaine into …
Blistering review blasts law enforcers
Police and prison holding facilities described as “squalid” and “inhumane.” Evidence left unsecured on police officers’ desks in a “chaotic” manner. An unsafe police gun range where shooting drills occur …
Maynard gets 9 years for cocaine conspiracy
During a friendly lunch meeting in St. Thomas in March 2022, Oleanvine Maynard explained her financial goals to an undercover operative she believed to be a member of Mexico’s Sinaloa …
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Crown land legislation passes with amendments
After six days in closed-door committee, the House of Assembly passed a law on Monday that aims to provide a transparent framework for the acquisition, management and disposal of crown …
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Eyeing minimum, Fahie asks for 10 years
An attorney for ex-premier Andrew Fahie argued last week that he was accused of acting only as a “figurehead” in the cocaine-trafficking scheme that led to his conviction and should …
Premier won’t say if he could live on $6 an hour
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has sidestepped the question of whether he could live on $6 an hour as a review of that minimum wage is set to go before …
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HOA tackles crown land reforms
The 2022 Commission of Inquiry report blasted the government’s handling of crown land and called for comprehensive reforms after finding evidence that “serious dishonesty” may have occurred in at least …
Premier hails teamwork with new guv
Sweeping anti-corruption reforms recommended by the recent Commission of Inquiry can be achieved by the new deadline of September, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said Friday. Dr. Wheatley was speaking …
Premier travels for talks in Cayman, NY
Postal services, border security and decolonisation are on Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s agenda during a 10-day trip abroad. Dr. Wheatley, who left Saturday and is scheduled to return Tuesday, …
Premier pledges public talks on global tax
The Cabinet has not yet decided whether to sign on to the Global Minimum Tax regime but expects a report on the matter from consultants by the end of June, …
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Reform deadlines pushed forward
The deadline for delivering the delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms has been pushed to the end of August as Governor Daniel Pruce hailed a new understanding with Premier Dr. Natalio …