Last week's firing of Drug Policy Adviser Wayne Chinnery by Gov. Charles Turnbull was triggered not only by Chinnery's alleged involvement in a domestic assault but also by concerns that he failed to properly administer federal grant money awarded the V.I. government.
WVWI Radio One this weekend quoted unnamed sources as saying that Chinnery's performance had been under review by the governor for some time.
"There was particular attention being paid to the failure of the agency to commit grant funds for the purpose intended," the station reported.
Chinnery headed the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, or LEPC, which administers funds to crime-related programs in several areas, including domestic violence. The sources suggested it may have been only a matter of time before a decision was made as to Chinnery's suitability for the post.
Another source said the day-to-day operations of the agency became of such critical concern to the governor that as far back as two months ago, a key Government House official was assigned to the LEPC to monitor its goings-on and to take corrective action as needed.
When the governor fired Chinnery on Thursday, he tapped Police Commissioner Franz Christian to oversee operations of the LEPC and the Narcotics Strike Force.
Chinnery reportedly has been off-island since news of the assault charge was first reported.
