Former Virgin Islands Commissioner Jailed for Corruption & Bribery Scheme

A former Commissioner of the US Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation has been sentenced to five years in prison for orchestrating a bribery scheme linked to a government procurement contract valued at $1.43 million. The case underscores ongoing vulnerabilities in public sector contracting and the importance of robust anti-corruption controls.

Calvert White, formerly responsible for overseeing Sports, Parks, and Recreation, solicited and accepted a bribe from a government contractor in exchange for improperly assisting with the award of a lucrative contract to install security cameras at department properties. His co-conspirator, Benjamin Hendricks, who acted as an intermediary in the scheme, was sentenced to 68 months in prison.

According to evidence presented at trial, the scheme operated over a seven-month period from December 2023 to June 2024. White demanded a bribe from contractor David Whitaker, arranging for the payment to be channelled through Hendricks. In return, White abused his official position by providing confidential bid information and taking formal actions designed to steer the contract award in Whitaker’s favour. During the procurement process, bribe payments were transferred to a bank account controlled by Hendricks and subsequently passed on to White.

Both White and Hendricks were convicted by a jury of honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programmes receiving federal funds. Prosecutors highlighted that the conduct amounted to deliberate bid rigging and a clear breach of public trust.

US Department of Justice officials emphasised that public corruption undermines confidence in government institutions and distorts fair competition in public procurement. Law enforcement agencies reiterated their commitment to pursuing cases involving the abuse of public office for personal gain, particularly where federal funds are involved.

The investigation was led by the FBI San Juan Field Office, St Thomas Resident Agency, with the case prosecuted by the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division Public Integrity Section. The sentencing sends a clear signal that bribery and corruption within public bodies will continue to attract significant custodial penalties.

From a compliance and financial crime perspective, the case illustrates the critical need for transparent procurement processes, effective conflict of interest controls, and ongoing monitoring of public officials and contractors. It also reinforces the broader enforcement focus on corruption offences that intersect with fraud, misuse of public funds and financial system abuse.

Read the press release here.