May 19, 2001 – A regular meeting of the Senate Housing, Parks and Recreation Committee is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday on St. Thomas. At the top of the agenda is taking testimony from former V.I. Housing Authority executive director Alphonse Nibbs concerning his allegations of public corruption in housing agencies.
Sen. Celestino W. White Sr., who chairs the committee, has subpoenaed Nibbs, his former staff researcher, to appear at the meeting. However, Nibbs has said that he must be in New Orleans, La., on Monday to appear in a court case there for which he also has been subpoenaed.
Constance E. Kreiger, chief legislative counsel, wrote to Nibbs' New Orleans attorneys on May 14 attaching a copy of Nibbs' subpoena, asking if their legal matter should take precedence over the V.I. subpoena. As of Saturday night, it was not known whether Krieger had received a reply or if Nibbs had left the territory. Nibbs told White he would be away May 20-26.
Sen. Lorraine Berry, a member of the Senate committee, pushed White to call Nibbs to testify regarding whatever knowledge he may have about housing agency wrongdoing. White has insisted there is no basis in fact for Nibbs' allegations.
