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Two nabbed for allegedly defrauding USVI Gov’t of $500K COVID funds

February 10th, 2024 | Tags: USVI crime COVID USVIPD
The USVI Police Department's the Economic Crime Unit on Thursday announced the arrest of two individuals, Kenyetta Riddick and Andrew John for their alleged involvement in fraudulently obtaining money from the Government of the Virgin Islands' Covid Economic Stimulus account. Photo: USVIPD
VI CONSORTIUM

CHRISTIANSTED, St. Croix, USVI — The USVI Police Department's the Economic Crime Unit on Thursday announced the arrest of two individuals, Kenyetta Riddick and Andrew John for their alleged involvement in fraudulently obtaining money from the Government of the Virgin Islands' Covid Economic Stimulus account.

This development follows an investigation initiated on June 9, 2023, after a complaint was filed by the Office of Management and Budget.

The investigation, which involved internal audits by the Department of Finance and OMB, revealed that over a period of months, a total of $500,000 was illegally withdrawn from the 2020 GVI Covid Economic Stimulus Account.

Arrest warrants for Riddick, aged 56, and John, aged 43, were obtained on February 2, 2024. Both individuals were subsequently arrested on February 7, 2024.

Riddick was detained by U.S. Customs & Border Protection at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix, while John was taken into custody at the Police Administration Building.

According to the VIPD, Riddick and John have been charged with multiple offenses, including Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, participating in frauds on creditors, obtaining money by false pretense, fraudulent claims upon the government, access to computer for fraudulent purposes, and grand larceny. Each has been set a bail of $100,000.

Unable to post bail, both Riddick and John were processed and remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Facility.

They are awaiting their Advise of Rights hearing. 

7 Responses to “Two nabbed for allegedly defrauding USVI Gov’t of $500K COVID funds”

  • Why (10/02/2024, 18:46) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why are there so many thieves in the world? They always want something that belongs to someone else.
  • we (10/02/2024, 19:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everywhere in this world thief is and the Alert ,3yrs after both of them thief 500k final them bought to justice ,UK please do the same here with these here in bvi as well I sure these here in the bvi maybe thief way more money than these two
  • malone (11/02/2024, 16:17) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    So gov locking up people for robbing them but all lives list as a result of this vaccine aint no penalty for forcing it on us
  • FEO GOMEZ (12/02/2024, 08:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    One thing is MUY FEO people commit crimes.
  • Big Slick Willie (12/02/2024, 18:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course they did. Just can't resist the temptation. Look at Fahie. Free room and board for the rest of his life. Sad really.


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