Oct. 25, 2006 — During Thursday's scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting, senators shouldn't expect many answers from Public Services Commission members about their alleged secret support of a $470 million bankruptcy settlement involving V.I. Telephone Co. (Vitelco) assets. That's because PSC members probably won't be attending.
In a letter written Wednesday to Senate President Lorraine L. Berry, PSC Legal Counsel Jeffrey B.C. Moorhead writes that he has advised all "voting members" of the PSC to "respectfully decline the invitation to attend the scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting" on Thursday. (See "Entire Senate Will Investigate Connections Between PSC, ICC Bankruptcy").
Noting that the "requested testimony raises numerous constitutional issues," Moorhead goes on to invoke attorney-client privilege, stating that "any question addressed to me regarding discussions I may have had with any board member is privileged information that is not subject to disclosure."
Moorhead also notes that the subject of Thursday's meeting "'touches upon' an unresolved matter currently before the PSC" and that "any participation in the planned proceedings of the Senate presents a clear violation of the rights and responsibilities of an agency of the executive branch, may prejudice the actions of the commission and presents an imminent threat to the ability of the PSC to function in the public's best interest."
Moorhead's letter isn't likely to sit well with Sen. Louis P. Hill, who has fought an uphill battle to have the Committee of the Whole question PSC members directly. (See "Berry Denies Second Request for Hearing into PSC's Role in ICC Bankruptcy").
Whether or not all PSC members will heed Moorhead's advice, remains to be seen.
Thursday's meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Earle B. Ottley Hall on St. Thomas.
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