Aug. 30, 2006 – A medical emergency leading to hospitalization of a defendant has put on hold the corruption trial of former Sen. Alicia Hansen and two businessmen, a federal judge said Wednesday.
Campbell Malone, whom prosecutors said illegally received $25,000 from the V.I. Legislature in 2002 for work never completed in exchange for a $1,000 campaign contribution to Alicia Hansen's failed gubernatorial bid, was hospitalized with an unidentified illness, District Court Judge James Giles said.
Giles described Malone's illness as a "medical event … requiring anesthesia."
Leonard Francis, Malone's attorney, declined to describe the illness.
Giles said the trial, which started Aug. 21, would resume Tuesday. He cautioned jurors that the illness was not evidence and should not sway their opinion.
"You cannot consider Mr. Malone's medical event with sympathy for or against him," Giles said.
Prosecutors allege Malone, an accountant, and construction contractor Ashley Andrews used political connections to secure a $3.6 million no-bid contract to repair St. Croix's decrepit sewer system.
Andrews and Malone face charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, program fraud and making false claims against the government. Andrews was also charged with inducing conflict of interest.
Both men stood trial in July, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
Former gubernatorial aide Ohanio Harris was to be tried with the men but pleaded guilty to conspiracy and conflict of interest charges days before the July trial started.
Hansen was charged with one count of conflict of interest.
According to prosecutors, Harris, Andrews and Malone formed a shell company, Global Resources Management, to secure the aforementioned $3.6 million contract.
When Turnbull voided the contract before authorizing work to begin, Andrews and Malone allegedly filed false claims for work they'd already done.
One part of the claim seeking government compensation listed Global Resource Management employees working more than 24 hours in a single day. The V.I. government never paid the claim.
Andrews and Malone also allegedly filed false asset statements while seeking a bond to insure their work.
Also indicted was Hansen's husband, former Public Works Department employee Esdel Hansen.
Giles, who also presided over the July trial in St. Croix, threw out charges against Esdel Hansen in July.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
