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by LK Hewlett

Governor John de Jongh

At a press conference earlier today (Aug 18) Acting USVI Attorney General Claude Walker confirmed the arrest and subsequent charging of former Governor John de Jongh.

Also arrested and charged was Julito Francis, former director of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority.

Walker said the matter was “an active criminal case” and so he was limited in the details he could reveal at that time.

“This morning (Aug 18) both men were advised of their constitutional rights before a Superior Court Magistrate in the St. Thomas District. Both men were arrested on two counts of embezzlement of public monies and neglecting to pay over public monies in violation of the Virgin Islands Criminal Code,” he said.

Each charge is punishable by not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than ten years or both.

It is being alleged that on or about April 2007 through January 2009, de Jongh and Francis, being public officers, acted together to convert public monies for private use to the tune of $490,000.

Their arraignment has been set for two weeks from now, USVI media reports.

Read More:

http://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/2015/08/14/embezzlement.html