EFTA01071780.pdf

Prosecutor's home torched after cameras disabled Paget Boards of Elections delay in counting votes violates V.I. Code Page 2 (gle Virgin Islands , I a I I c al DAILY NEWS A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper risoimm CHARGES: ILLEGAL PROCEEDS TOTAL $1.1 MILLION Senator indicted Alvin Williams Jr. and two Senate staffers arrested in federal fraud and bribery case Page 3 Get eco-friendly products with on EcoSolutions Loan. 899% APP Find out more today Visi[ your nearest Swtubank Branch. EFTA01071780 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Friday, November 9, 2012 Prosecutor's home destroyed in suspected arson on St. Croix By LOU MATTE Croix Fire Chief Angel Tortes Sr. home had been tampered with., Roberson's home was located in an that he had not yet been fully briefed Daily News Staff and Attorney General Vincent "Someone cut the wires," he said. isolated area. He said he believed on the fire, but he had a deputy on Frazer. "The wires was pulled out and the Roberson shared the home with St. Croix looking into the question ST. THOMAS — V.I. Police and TOMS estimated that the home screens were pulled out and thrown another attorney, but he did not of whether the suspected arson could V.1. Fire Service officials on St. had been burning for about 15 min- in the bushes." know the attorney's name. be connected to any cases Roberson Croix arc investigating what they utes before the call came in. He said Tortes said firefighters found evi- "Apparently they were a couple, was working. say is suspected arson at the home firefighters had to force their way dence of tampering on the doors to but it's an ongoing investigation," "I hope not, but we will look into of a criminal prosecutor for the V.I. through a motorized gate to gain the home, which appeared that Torres said. "We gotta really follow that," Frazer said. Attorney General's Office. access to the burning house. No one someone had tried to pry the doors up on some leads and stuff we're Tortes said the fire remains under The Estate St. George home of was inside, and no one was hurt in open. The Fire Service did not leave looking at." investigation by the Police Assistant Attorney General Kip the blaze, but the home was com- the scene until 3:20 •., TOMS Roberson could not be reached Department's forensics unit and the Roberson was fully engulfed in pletely destroyed, Torres said. said. for comment Thursday evening. Fire Service's arson prevention unit. flames when five Fire Service trucks "It's a total loss," Torres said. Torres said Thursday evening that Frazer declined to comment about Anyone with information about the fire res onded to a 911 call about 11 Torres said firefighters also found the Fire Service had not contacted Roberson's living situation. The can call the Fire Service at 7734060 . Thursday, according to St. that surveillance cameras at the any witnesses at that point and that attorney general said late Thursday and ask for the arson prevention unit. Elections boards' slow vote count violates V.I. law Section Update Senate AMarge By LOU MATTE Elections policy. Craig Barshinger 11,133 Daily News Staff Joint Board of Elections Chairman Rupert Wilma Marsh-Monsanto 4,930 Ross Jr. said Thursday that the joint board passed Si'. THOMAS — Both Boards of Elections a policy earlier this year requiring the boards to St. Thomas-St. John District in the Vugin Islands have run afoul of the V.I. begincounting any paper ballots the night of the Clifford Graham 6,840 Code and board policies in the wake of election. He said the policy never was put into Shawn-Michael Malone 4,704 Tuesday's general electron, from which paper writing, but it may exist in some formin minutes Myron Jackson.. 4,661 ballot are still being tallied. from the meeting. He also said the policy lacked Janette Millin Young 4,407 The V.L Code requires the boards to count the an enforcement mechanism. Clarence Payne 3,851 votes for each candidate within a day of receiv- Ross said the intent of the policy, which Tregenza Roach 3,793 ing ballot materials from the polling places: passed by a 6-5 vote, was to assure that process- Donald Cole 3,352 "Each board of elections, after having received ing of the paper ballots began as soon as possi- Justin Halligan Sr 3,118 all statements, books, lists, papers, vouchers, ble. The sooner the counting begins, the easier it Lawrence Olive 3,003 ballots, ballot boxes and district register from is to comply with another section of the law that Lisa Williams 2.823 each polling district and polling place in its dis- requires the boards to certify a final vote count Horace Brooks 2.610 uict, shall convene not later than one day follow- within 10 days of an election, Ross reasoned. Paul Alexander 2,202 ing the receipt thereof and determine the total The certification deadline already was weigh- Sean Georges 2,147 number ofvotes cast in the election district for ing on the mind of Thomas, who pointed out the Marvin Blyden 2,125 each candidate" Caly Neva Ototo by FIONA STOKES St Thomas-St. John Board has yet to touch Louis Willis 2,062 The law states that the boards must convene St. Croix Board of Elections member Lisa locked ballot boxes containing absentee ballots Alma Francis+leyliger 1,911 no later than three days after receiving the afore- Harris Moorhead looks on as board members and walk-in votes. Kent Bernier Sr. 1,800 mentioned materials to tally votes for the Board and election judges sort and count ballots Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr. has Janelle Sarauw 1,750 ofEducation and Board of Elections races. Thursday The board issued a statement said the district processed 412 walk-in ballots Stephen Frett.. 1,436 On Tuesday, a majority of the votes from all Thursday that it had finshed sorting more and mailed 331 absentee ballots. Cecilia Milliner-Emanuel 1,191 races were cast on electronic machines, and than 2,700 ballots and wil begin counting But Thomas was optimistic that the board was Joseph Gumbs 1.138 results from those ballots were available within them today at the Election System Office in gaining momentum after a troubled start Kyza Callwood 949 hours of the polls closing Sunny Isle Shopping Center. "Tempers were a little tight yesterday, but Shirley Sadler 826 However, widespread distrust of the machines everyone's happy today," Thomas said. "The Elvin Fahie Sr. 804 led to a splice in the use of paper ballots— more Senate race, said the law makes little sane in the public was much quieter and accommodating Nevilira g 727 than 4500 context of the tenitory's current. paper ballots, today, and we appreciated them talliteipgidre— t bat Atiaki j 642 vote count and, in effect, hampered the boards' which can be counted only by hand. judges to do theirjobs." Carol Berry 624 abilities to comply with the law. "Literally it would have been impossible to Candidate Lawrence Olive, who earned 304 Omodoso Muhammad 411 Today marks the third day since the boards follow," Thomas said when asked about the law. paper-ballot votes on Thursday to bump Lisa aeon Marrishow 327 received all the ballots from the polling sites "I don't sec how we could have done that." Williams from ninth place in the Senate race, Jodi Hodge 304 Tuesday night. Thomas said the board should have new vot- said he told his supporters to use the paper bal- Josephine Lindquist 290 The St. Thomas-St. John Board hopes to fin- ing machines by the 2014 elections that can tally lots as a more reliable — and legal — alterna- Andreas Tietje... ......................... 272 ish counting the Senate races by the end of the paper ballots automatically. tive to the electronic machines Orial Webb 210 day today before moving on to other races, When asked about enforcing the section of "If the trend continues, I don't see no reason Walter Brown 183 according to board member Loma Thomas. the law cited above, V.I. Attorney General wily I will not be in the top seven," Olive said. Charlesworth Halstead 125 The St. Croix Board is scheduled to begin Vmcent Frazer said he "would have to look at "It just goes to show you that the paper ballot is counting its 2,781 paper ballots today. that and see" the true count." • Unofficial; as of Thursday. Thomas, who helped on Thursday to oversee The boards'handling of the paper ballots also — Contact reporter Lou Maffei at 714-9124 her board's tally of about 600 ballots in the has brought them into conflict with a Board of or email lmattei(o)rbionews.vi. ISSN 2159-3019 ea Virgin Islands Advertising Opinions Circulation Daily Newt Ailiastraig • Contact us St. Thomas-St. John 714-9138 714-9101 ON*.eft tic. veined .1, by linesiEssawock DAILY- NEWS Publisher 714-9141 or 714-9147 News SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Oregon., daily Carimunicabons A raaterhmeals.te ir••pper. Fax: 774-6886 Other subscripico rates available on request Putarstes The Turn 4-6\ ©2012 oar News PIAISIIINICO. 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Alvin Williams Jr. was arrest- Campaign funds and false reports Williams Jr., 34 Democrat ed by federal agents Thursday and charged with bribery, From January 2006 to December 2011, Williams Senator, St. Thomas-St. mail fraud and wire fraud. and a legislative staff member failed to deposit cer- The proceeds of Williams' criminal activities tain campaign contributions; withdrew finds from a 27fRISEIth 29th $1.1 million, according to a statement from the U.S. campaign account; and submitted false campaign dis- Legislatures. • Attorney's Ice. closure reports that failed to include certain contribu- Committees: Chairman About 4 . Thursday, almost a dozen 10 FBI agents tions, according to Shape. of Planning and converged on the V.I. Legislature building on St. Environment Protection; Thomas, according to several eyewitnesses. Kick-backs from staff vice chairman of The agents went inside and came out escorting Kim In the summer of 2010, Williams tried to solicit Government Operations; Blackett, who is listed on the Legislature website as kick-backs from his own staff in exchange for giving r member of Rules and Williams' chief of staff. Blacken also was charged in an them salary increases, the statement from the U.S. Judiciary, Housing, indictment filedTbursday. attorney's office said. Sports and Veterans Another staff member also was charged, according to According to Sharpe, the staff members were sup- Affairs, Public Safety. the U.S. Attorney's Office, which did not release the per- posed to withdraw a portion of the increased salary in Homeland Security and son's name. cash and give it to Williams. Justice; liaison to the Senate President Ronald Russell said he was on St. From September 2010 to July 2011, Williams U.S. Congress. Croix at the time the agents arrived at the Legislature, received such a bribe, Sharpe said. Education: 1996 graduate but he was informed of the arrest. Russell said he was of Charlotte Amalie High told that Williams had surrendered to law.enforcement University of Phoenix School. officers. From April 2007 to February 2008 and from January Claims to have earned an "He turned himself in, that's what 1 understand," 2008 to October 2011, Williams and a staff member AA online degree from Russell said. Sen. Alvin Williams Jr. committed federal wire fraud as the senator sought University of Phoenix, Russell said he had no additional information online degrees from the University of Phoenix. but federal indictment Thursday. "The indictment alleges that the staff member In October 2011, about 25 federal and local law Raphune Vistas falsely submitted various documents that were gen- puts that in question. Community positions: enforcement officers raided the St. Thomas Senate Between Feb. 21, 2007, and Nov. 18, 2011, erated, created and authored by others under the Former president of St. building and Williams' office. Williams solicited a bribe from the developers of the direction of and in the name of Williams," Sharpe Thomas-St. John Horse A federal grand jury handed up an indictment Raphune Vista housing development project on St. said in the statement. Owners Association. Thursday charging Williams, Blacken and a third person Thomas, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. The From January 2008 to October 2011, Williams and Nor employment Ovmer with operating and participating in criminal activities indictment says Williams promoted legislative action Blacken defrauded the government by using public of Ace Development Inc. including bribery, wire fraud and mail fraud, U.S. and supported the authorization of funding and zon- funds for non-legislative purposes, namely pursuing an and general manager of Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands Ronald ing of the project in exchange for which Ace online degree for Williams, Sharpe said. AArin Williams Trucking Sharpe said in a prepared statement. Development received a contract related to the con- "As the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department and Heavy Equipment The indictment has not yet been posted by the District struction of Raphune Vistas, Sharpe said. of Education, the Office of Inspector General will Rental, wtilch his Court. However, the statement from Sharpe includes a As part of the contract, Ace Development used aggressively pursue anyone who games the Education Legislature website says number of details from the charging documents includ- and/or rented construction equipment to the develop- system for their own selfish purpose," Special Agent- has been `contracted ing that Williams is accused of: ers, Sharpe wrote. in-charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office by the federal and local • Attempting to bribe Public Works Commissioner In May 2009, the Senate approved a zoning change of Inspector General Yessyka Santana said in a written governments to provide Darryl Smalls with $10,000 in cash for Oceanside Village Inc., the developers of Raphune statement. major development • Accepting bribes from the developers of Raphune Vistas, from R-I, residential low density one- and services in the territory: Vistas two-family, to R-4, residential medium density — The investigation • Accepting $35,000 in bribes from the developers of against the recommendations of the V.I. Department The investigation leading to the indictment was the wind turbines at Tutu Park Mall. of Planning and Natural Resources. conducted by the Public Corruption Task Force, a Alvin • Soliciting kick-backs from his own staff in exchange In June 2009, Gov. John delongh Jr. vetoed the joint federal and local team. for salary mists. zoning change. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Williams Jr.'s • Committing wire fraud by using public fields topay for courses and having staff members submit work in Tutu wind turbines Attorneys Kim Lindquist, Nolan Paige and Kelly Lake. Senate staff his name to obtain an online degree in his name from In September 2008, Williams asked for and received "The prosecution of public corruption is a top pri- Kim Blackett, chief of a $10,000 campaign contribution from the developersof ority of the U.S. Attorney's Office," Sharpe said. "It staff. University of Phoenix. According to Sharpe, if Blacken and Williams are the Tutu Park windmill project as a bribe to support leg- is a breach of the public trust for public officials to Gerry Sprauve, senior convicted, they face a maximum 20-year prison sen- islation supporting the project, Sharpe said. use their office for personal gain." advisor. tence and up to $250,000 in fines. Williams also solicited $25,000 in campaign con- "These individuals have allegedly abused their Rasheen St. Juste, tributions from the wind turbine developers between powers by utilizing their positions to discreetly con- constituent officer. Public Works September 2008 and September 2009, 'according to duct illegal activities," IRS-CI Special Agent-in- Phillip Harrigan, public On Sept. 5, 2009, Williams gave the V.I. Public the federal prosecutor. charge Jose Gonzalez said Thursday. "IRS-CI is com- relations officer- Works Commissioner $10,000 in cash in an attempt A number of companies were involved with the wind mitted to following the money trail to ensure that committee coordinator to bribe him to give contracts to Ace Development turbine project, including Green Power Electric; Dallas- public officials who use their office to line their own knee' Edwards, Inc., a company in which Williams had an interest, based Earth, Wind and Power, and Island Wind Power. pockets arc brought to justice and deprived of their administrative Sharpe said. When the Senate passed a comprehensive renew- ill-gotten gains." assistant, legislative In his answers to a Daily News candidate question- able energy bill in 2009, an amendment was tacked Sharpe asked anyone with direct knowledge of ille- aide. naire for the 2006 Voter Guide, Williams said he was on to change the zoning code to allow wind turbines gal acts or information on corruption in the Virgin Sources: V.I. Legislature the owner ofAcc Development Inc. in B-1 and B-3 business zones without having to seek Islands to call the Public Corruption Task Force at website. www.legvi,org; At the time, Darryl Smalls was the Public Works separate zoning approval. The legislation also would 7154516. Williams' answers to Commissioner. When The Daily News reached Smalls have allowed wholesale renewable energy production — Contact repaterifkkthLewin ar 714.9111or email Daily News 2006 Voter on Thursday night, he said he had no comment. in B-4 and B-3 zones. alewin@fdailynews.vi Guide questionnaire. EFTA01071782 42 The Virgin Islands Daily News SPORTS Friday, November 9, 2012 Boras: Dodgers 'bought store,' Mets 'in freezer' By RONALD BLUM year in a bankruptcy court auction and The Associated Press the lowly San Diego Padres were bought for $800 million. INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — With Since the Dodgers were bought last baseball awash in record revenue as the spring by a group headed by Mark signing season starts, Scott Boras com- Walter, Stan Kasten and Magic pares the habits of teams to families Johnson, they increased their payroll sifting through supermarket shelves by about $35 million,adding infielder At the winter meetings in Dallas last explained. "But there's a lot of good, Hanley Ramirez, first baseman Adrian year, the agent had this to say of the longstanding products that they can Gonzalez, closer Brandon League, financially troubled Los Angeles acquire there." pitcher Josh Beckett and outfielder Carl Dodgers and New York Mets: Slugger Josh Hamilton and pitcher Crawford. "Normally, they're in the steaks sec- Zack Greinke are among the top play- The Dodgers' payroll next year tion, and I found them in the fruits-and- ers in a relatively weak free-agent class might approach or surpass that of the nuts category a lot" that also includes outfielders B.J. New York Yankees, who have topped Since then, the Dodgers have been Upton, Michael Boum, Toni Hunter spending every year since Los Angeles sold for $2 billion. The Mets owners andNick Swisher; first basemanAdam edged them by SI million in 2001. have agreed to pay up to $162 million LaRoche; and pitchers Kyle Lobse and New York is vowing b cut it payroll — and likely much less — in a deal Rafael Soriano. by 2014 because ofchanges in the col- with the trustee for Bernard Madoff's Baseball estimates revenue this year lective bargaining agreement that will fraud victims. at $2.5 billion — an increase of about cut the team's revenue-sharing bill if it So on Wednesday at the general $500 million. National television con- doesn't wind up paying a luxwy tax. managers' meeting. Boras said his view tracts with Fox and Turner that run Infielder Maicer lztruis became the of the Dodgers had changed from 2014-21 will double the average first major league free agent to switch "I think they bought the store," he yearly money baseball receives to teams this offseason, agreeing to a SI0 said. about $800 million. million, three-year contract with the And as for the Mets? And perhaps the biggest evidence of Toronto Blue Jays. The 32-year-old hit "The best you can say is that they baseball's wealth is franchise values — 256with 17 steals in 19 trues, two hom- might be in the freezer section," he the Dodgers sold for $2 billion this as and 20 RBIs this year for the Angels. Daly News Pholo by PM CHAPMAN Ivanna Eudora Kean High School volleybal payer Chantell Grant goes up for a kill n the Lady Rays' 3-1 home win over the Ss. Peter & Paul Lady FOOTBALL Shunnel Greenaway must exhibit more poise to give his team a the pace of the game." Greenaway's protection will not CONTINUED FROM THE BACK PAGE Jaguars onThursday. chance. come easy. Mitts had two sacks and against Charlotte Amalie High Greenaway looked sharp in the recovered a fumble to lead the VOLLEYBALL School in mid-October, but rebound- first half of last week's 36-10 loss to Arawaks defense in the first meeting. If the Arawaks win tonight and CONTINUED FROM THE BACK PAGE ed with a 46-0 win over Central High CAHS, but the offense sputtered on St. Croix before last week's bye. down the stretch. defeat CAHS (4-0) next week, both the ball ova her own head and just "Wehave a lot ofsenior leadership," "I'm trying to keep him to main- teams will have one loss. CAHS is inside the out-of-bounds antenna. Neely said, "so really these guys gov- tain focus and be patient," Donovan idle the following week, and the The ball chopped imtouched in the ern themselves — guys like Nathan said. "When he was patient in the Arawaks finish against struggling St. eager ofthe Ss.Pen andPaulhalf Braithwaite, our quarterback." first half of the game, we were mov- Croix Educational Complex. The Lady Jags struggled to for- Braithwaite, a senior, has found ing the ball. Everything doesn't have In the case of a tie in the final reg- get about such points and assis- Cilliers and senior receivers Omar to be deep. Every pass doesn't have ular season standings, point differen- tant coach Ronald Blyden noted Henderson and Lucas Berry on to be a touchdown right away. He's tial will determine which team quali- that emotion is the team's biggest touchdown passes. only 16 years old, so sometimes he fies for the territory championship on issue. Blyden was filling in for Kean High sophomore quarterback gets too excited and gets away from Dec. 8. head coach Gigi Quetel, who was unable to attend the game. Local Briefs ance Sate! "They have their issues and their problems — I understand Basketball clinics from 9:30 M. to 12:30 • on Monday at Central High ppliWasher that — but they feed off of each other negatively, unfortunately," ST. CROIX — The Sports, Parks and Recreation Department will conduct after-school basketball clinics at School's Ronald Charles Gymnasium. The clinic will be conducted by Nels Hawkinson, the Refrigerator Blyden said. "But they are gifted, that's for sure. That's one of the Rudy Krigger Ballpark in Sion Farm every Wednesday through Dec. 19. president and executive director of Basketball Travelers Inc., and is for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and Dryer reasons I'm sticking with them and I don't want to leave." The clinics arc geared toward teaching youths the funda- mentals of basketball and or chit ages 7 through 12. 18. BTI organizes the Paradise Jam and other college and high school tournaments around the world. Hawkinson Ra es Kean (7-3) will try to transfer Free registration is from I to 6 at Krigger Ballpark. will be joined by colleague Craig Jonas. CC ops its energy over to St. Croix today and Saturday at the Educational Complex Invitational. Coach For more information, arita Stevens at 7730160. St.ThomasYacht Club race, fundraiser Participants will receive Paradise Jam posters and T- shirts and have a chance to win complimentary tickets to the tournament, whichbeginsNov. 16. Gee to Jennifer Matthias hopes to see more consistency out of her ST. THOMAS — The St. Thomas Yacht Club is host- ing a race and pig roast on Dec. 15 to benefit the club's Rugby practice SNI11103 Steel team, especially Grant. "She brings a lot of energy, but youth sailing program. The $40 entrance fee includes two tickets per boat for ST. THOMAS — The USVI Rugby Football Union practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week from 6- 011011COS sometimes her energy is in her mouth, cheering. But 1 need more the pig roast following the race. Sailors of all ages are welcome, and the race is open to IC-24 s,Racers, Cruising at Charlotte AmalieHigh School. Veterans, novic- es and first-time players are all welcome to participate. Besl Savings In Town! of her energy to go into playing boats and any boat 24 feet or longer. The group is training for upcoming scrimmages with more on the