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Premier Smith offers 'no comment' on fmr USVI Gov. de Jongh Jr's arrest

- acknowledges cordial relationship between former USVI Governors John P. de Jongh & Dr Charles W. Turnbull
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith yesterday August 19, 2015 acknowledged the working relationship he shared with embattled former Governors of the US Virgin Islands John P. de Jongh Jr. and Dr Charles W. Turnbull during his tenure in Government and Opposition at alternate occasions. Photo: VINO/File
Former USVI Governors Dr Charles W. Turnbull and John P. de Jongh Jr. Photo: virginislandsdailynews.com/caribbeanelections.com
Former USVI Governors Dr Charles W. Turnbull and John P. de Jongh Jr. Photo: virginislandsdailynews.com/caribbeanelections.com
Acting Attorney General Claude Walker believes the Department of Justice has a very strong case against de Jongh and Francis. Photo: St Croix Source
Acting Attorney General Claude Walker believes the Department of Justice has a very strong case against de Jongh and Francis. Photo: St Croix Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith yesterday August 19, 2015 acknowledged the working relationship he shared with the embattled former Governors of the US Virgin Islands, John P. de Jongh Jr and Dr Charles W. Turnbull, during his tenure in Government and Opposition at alternate occasions.

However, Premier Smith was hesitant to comment on the ongoing scandal in the sister territory where de Jongh and former Public Finance Authority Director Julito Francis had been arrested for the alleged diversion of public funds to their own use.

Turnbull served as USVI Governor from 1999 to 2007 while de Jongh served from 2007 to 2015.

According to news reports on VIConsortium.com, de Jongh Jr. and Francis were arrested on the morning of August 18, 2015.

“I did enjoy a good and cordial relationship with both Governors Turnbull and de Jongh. But with what’s going on right now I know no more than you know and I cannot really make any further comment on that,” said Premier Smith.

Acting Attorney General Claude Walker in a news conference in St Croix on Tuesday August 18, 2015 read aloud the charges against de Jongh and Francis. These include two counts of embezzlement of public monies, and neglecting to pay over public monies in violation of [US] Virgin Islands criminal code.

According to VIConsortium, Walker refused to answer whether the federal government collaborated on the case, and declined to make known if it had prior knowledge of the arrests.

“What I can say is that we are capable of handling these types of cases, investigating and prosecuting them. This is not the first time we’ve had a public corruption case of significance in the territory. We know how to do it. We have an experienced staff of prosecutors and investigators,” VIConsortium quotes Walker as saying following the news conference.

Asked by VIConsortium if there would be convictions as a result of the arrests, Walker said while he believes the DOJ has a “very strong case, it’s up to the jury to decide whether to convict and we have to allow it to play out.”

12 Responses to “Premier Smith offers 'no comment' on fmr USVI Gov. de Jongh Jr's arrest”

  • political snitch (20/08/2015, 14:22) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    He was wining and dining with him for four friendship day celebrations....Some politicians only speak from one side of their mouth.
  • gg (20/08/2015, 14:22) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Bvi next
  • smart (20/08/2015, 14:23) Like (31) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why should he comment on an ongoing criminal investigation??? He is our Premier not a legal analyst for the USVI politics.
  • national dose of poison (20/08/2015, 14:25) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    Doc is busy covering the NDP tracks so he ain't got time with De Jongh.
    • east (20/08/2015, 17:29) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply

      He dam right cover their @$$ for when Scotland Yard steps in we all going $h*t in our pants the governor giving them a long rope to hang themselves watch and we all will see . You see that greenhouse and port project where he says no corruption wait and we all going see.

  • Schups (20/08/2015, 16:01) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply

    Comment and say #$&%@ what?

  • i from here (20/08/2015, 16:55) Like (5) Dislike (19) Reply
    I know two men from VIP who shaking in their boots!
  • one eye (20/08/2015, 17:14) Like (12) Dislike (10) Reply
    No one wrote a speech for him in time so no comment is all he could remember!!!
  • voter (20/08/2015, 20:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them get ketch, them get arrest, and them will have them day in court. What else can Doc say?
  • facts man (20/08/2015, 23:59) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    he better worry about who from teh BVI Goverment will get arrested
  • Duck1951 (22/08/2015, 06:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If guilty I hope that they are given a hefty punishment. We cannot afford to have government officials who are entrusted to serve the public steal from the treasury. Why does one want to right away implicate Smith ? We are dealing with two separate independent territories with different juridictions .


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