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Detective team now on Walwyn wall case - CoP Matthews

- over 100 people interviewed as probe into $1.6M ESHS wall scandal continues
As investigations into the $1.6M Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) wall project commissioned by former Legislator, Myron V. Walwyn continues, Commissioner of Police Mr Micheal B. Matthews has indicated that the case is now in the hands of a team of RVIPF detectives with close to 100 persons now interviewed as part of the probe into the allegedly corrupt project. Photo: VINO/File
The Auditor General (AG) Ms Sonia M. Webster in a bombshell report on the ESHS wall had said that the wall project broke financial laws, there was no value for money and persons were paid and work not completed. She also listed a tail of corruption surrounding the entire project. Photo: VINO/File
The Auditor General (AG) Ms Sonia M. Webster in a bombshell report on the ESHS wall had said that the wall project broke financial laws, there was no value for money and persons were paid and work not completed. She also listed a tail of corruption surrounding the entire project. Photo: VINO/File
In the scandal surrounding the case Mr Myron V. Walwyn in embarrassing the then outgoing Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, tried to get a head start on the ‘spin’ by leaking the wall report to the press, however, it backfired the Governor demanded an apology since he, Hon Walwyn, had violated proper protocols and laws. Photo: VINO/File
In the scandal surrounding the case Mr Myron V. Walwyn in embarrassing the then outgoing Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, tried to get a head start on the ‘spin’ by leaking the wall report to the press, however, it backfired the Governor demanded an apology since he, Hon Walwyn, had violated proper protocols and laws. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - As investigations into the $1.6M Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) wall project commissioned by former Legislator Myron V. Walwyn continue, Commissioner of Police Mr Micheal B. Matthews has indicated that the case is now in the hands of an entire team of detectives with close to 100 persons now interviewed as part of the probe into the alleged corruption.

Speaking on the Tuesday, July 24, 2019, edition of 'Honestly Speaking' on ZBVI 780 AM show, with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline, Mr Matthews also revealed that while many may think the investigation is an overnight process, it will require more time as criminal charges in the case are possible. 

Investigation is not an overnight process- CoP Matthews 

"People think that the minute something is handed to the police service that it's going to be kind of an overnight arrest, we'll have headlines of people being charged and so forth. When I'm asked those sort of questions... I have to say you've been watching too much CSI. That's not the real world of policing," he told Skelton-Cline following a line of questioning on the progress of the investigations.

Following investigations into the wall, the Auditor General (AG) Ms Sonia M. Webster in a bombshell report had said that the wall project broke financial laws, there was no value for money and persons were paid and work not completed. She also listed a trail of corruption surrounding the entire project.

Amidst controversy and a leak to the press, the report was then handed to the Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr Augustus J.U. Jaspert who then handed it over to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) when official criminal investigations commenced. 

The top cop further commented that following receipt of the AG's Report, the police couldn't just lay charges in isolation but rather had to revisit the AG's office to start their own probe.

Potential Criminal Charges

According to CoP Matthews, "What we look for is something different to an auditor, so we had to access all that information. We were literally waving through boxes of paperwork and what started out as an officer appointed, is now a team of detectives."

Mr Matthew further noted that when the force realised there were potentially criminal offences to be investigated, those investigations intensified.

"We have probably now reached a figure of nearly a hundred people that we got to either interview or take a statement from in relation to this matter."

Commissioner Matthews said the matter will take time as it's a complex one, given the seriousness of the accusations.

"This isn't going to be an overnight investigating, nor should it be because we have to be thorough. We have to make sure that if we are going to reach a point in time where we are going to arrest and charge people, that we've done the groundwork properly."

11 Responses to “Detective team now on Walwyn wall case - CoP Matthews”

  • facts (24/07/2019, 15:14) Like (18) Dislike (10) Reply
    Hummm let crazy mark go talk that
    • Look You (24/07/2019, 16:51) Like (26) Dislike (10) Reply

      why Claude don't tell us about the after school program money and also the port that ran over millions as well. tell the people the heap a big bill all over the place .

  • wize up (24/07/2019, 16:15) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
    yea right!!!! not one ting will come out of that: some police & some politicians are simply a set of crooks up in this place(set of jive turkeys)
  • Guilty (24/07/2019, 17:32) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply

    Only East End people does go to jail for government money and not even thief just breach of trust..

  • one world (24/07/2019, 19:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    No political person will go to jail
  • HMMM (24/07/2019, 21:55) Like (11) Dislike (13) Reply
    Is Myron alone thief? What about the other politicians from both parties. Stop ayo crap and move on people don’t see the country want to fix up and look good.This continuing not going anywhere. My God how we get so corrupt, right now the place is like stagnant water. Get over it
    • thief (26/07/2019, 09:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Myron Thief? Because I don’t see where they said he did! You guys are amazing!!!
  • claude (25/07/2019, 13:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where are the charges of theft and false accounting?
  • wize up (26/07/2019, 05:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the small man will take the rap just like that airport project several ago?????
  • pat (26/07/2019, 10:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No one said Myron thief !!! so stop let’s wait for the conclusion of the on going investigation


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