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SENATOR MALONE ASKS JOINT TASK FORCE ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
(Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands, August 29, 2003) Today, Government Operations Chairman, Senator Shawn-Michael Malone, sent correspondence to the Attorney General directing that he investigate the allegations of fraud and corruption in the Department of Public Works made by a public works employee.
Today I forwarded correspondence to the Attorney General, the Honorable Iver A. Stridiron, requesting that the Joint Task Force on Public Corruption begin a full investigation into the allegations made by Mr. Randy Germain and Mr. Robert Moorehead, Senator Malone said in his August 29, 2003 letter to the Attorney General.
Guided by legal advice, Senator Malone decided that the best possible way to make sure that a clean and thorough investigation is done is to have the Joint Task Force on Public Corruption which has the proper resources, to investigate these allegations. "Like everyone else, I am just as eager to see this matter rectified, however, I am aware of the negative consequences discourse on the Senate floor may have on a future case, should it come to trial. I maintain that a Senate hearing places such a desired outcome in jeopardy. I have no desire to derail or impede an investigation into this disquieting issue," Senator Malone said.. The Senator expressed his confidence in the capabilities of the Joint Task Force on Public Corruption to at least investigate the allegations. "This task force is the legal arm of this government armed with investigators and prosecutors – resources the Legislature, namely my committee, does not have. I have also sent copies of this correspondence to the Honorable Steven van Beverhoudt, VI Inspector General, and the Honorable David Nissman, U.S. Attorney for the Virgin Islands. It is my hope that cooperation and collaboration between the local and Federal government's white collar crime units can come together on this matter," Senator Malone concluded.
