Senator Demands "Special Investigator" To Expose WAPA Corruption

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Senator Kenneth "Kenny" introduced a bill to appoint a "special investigator" to review the Water and Power Authority and make prosecutorial recommendations to the Virgin Islands Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney.

Gittens introduced the legislation, Bill 34-0080, earlier this week. "The people are crying out for help from the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority and I believe that an independent investigation is necessary to root out corruption and to help restore accountability to the institution," said Gittens in a statement released by his office. "Given the problems at WAPA, I introduced legislation to thoroughly examine the Authority’s contracts, leases, billing practices and other problematic issues such as credit card use and the loss of more than $2 million to an offshore account."

Gittens called for a "special investigator" who would have the power to issue subpoenas for evidence and witnesses. The investigator's mission would be to root out any wrongdoing by the utility and any corruption within the company. The bill would enable the investigator to examine all contracts, leases, accounting practices, and employees' use of company credit cards.

A specific focus will be investigating the loss of $2 million to an offshore account.

Senator Gittens said that he anticipates discussing the proposed legislation with his colleagues when the Government Operations & Consumer Protection Committee meets on August 6th.

As for the cost of launching such an investigation, Gittens said, “We will have to pay for this investigation, but the cost is very low relative to the waste and fraud we are already aware of at WAPA. We must stop the bleeding and hold those in charge accountable.”

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