Complaint filed against Wendell M. Gaskin for allegedly violating General Orders
Virgin Islands News Online has been able to obtain a copy of the letter dated October 18, 2011, filed by Julio Samuel Henry and addressed to Governor Boyd McCleary. Mr. Henry also informed this news agency that he has also delivered copies to both the Department of Human Resources and the Deputy Governor’s Office.
It is alleged that on Friday, October 14, 2011 between the hour of 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., police officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Department were summoned to the Taxi stand of the BVI Taxi Association by members of the taxi association in relation to a disputed matter at the taxi stand, according to the letter from Mr. Henry.
According to the letter, as the police were conducting their interview in relation to the matter, Mr. Wendell Gaskin, was also called to the taxi stand to address the situation.
Upon his arrival to the taxi stand, the letter allegedly stated that Mr. Gaskin “clearly stated to police officers that he was hired by the President of the Association to oversee the general election process being organized by the Taxi Association on that day, (Friday, 14th October 2011). He repeatedly relayed this information to the officers at the scene. His affirmation was also supported directly by the President of the Taxi Association, Mr. Eric Matthias who had just arrived to the scene.”
Mr. Henry further alleged in his letter that, “Mr. Gaskin was conducting private business while he was on his government job” and “He admitted to the police officers that he was conducting private business on government time when he highlighted that the lady in charge of the ballot box and sign-up sheet at the taxi stand is his own employee, and that he stationed her at the taxi stand on the morning of Friday, 14th October 2011 to represent him while he continued his work inside his government office.”
In the letter, Mr. Henry went on to quote the sections of the General Order that Gaskin allegedly violated. Quoting from General Orders Chapter 111, under Conduct of Public Officers, the letter states (3.3) “No officer may absence himself from duty during working hours without the permission of the Head of Department in which he works or such other officer as may be deputed by the Head of Department to give such permission.”
The letter further quoted section 3.1 “An officer who absents himself from duty without permission, except in cases of illness or other unavoidable circumstances shall render himself liable to disciplinary action” and section 3.6 which states “subject to the following and except in the case of an officer employed part time, an officer’s WHOLE TIME is at the disposal of Government”. It further states an officer may not ENGAGE in any PRIVATE activities whatsoever during his NORMAL hours of Work.
Efforts by this news agency to reach the relevant departments were futile up to this time. Calls were made to the Human Resources Department to confirm the receipt of the letter and whether indeed an investigation will be launched. However, up to the time of this publication, those calls were not returned.
Calls were also made to the Governor’s Office but they were also unable to give any details or confirmation of any kind up to the time of this publication but promised to get back to us on the matter.Meanwhile, Mr. Gaskin was also contacted who said he did not wish to comment on the matter.
However, Mr. Henry shared with this news agency, an emailed copy of a response he said he received from Acting Director of Human Resources Michelle Donovan-Stevens which states, “Your complaint is taken seriously and will require the involvement of the Permanent Secretary, Premier's Office and a response from the officer involved.”
It further stated that, “This process is necessary to ascertain the facts of the situation. An update will be provided to you at the earliest.”
Virgin Islands News Online will bring you further details on this story as they unfold.
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