Former Director of Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority and Others Charged with Conspiracy and Bribery

Three Virgin Islands men were charged in an indictment unsealed today with various offenses based on their participation in a bribery scheme involving over $17 million in construction contracts awarded by the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority (VIPFA).

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe of the District of the Virgin Islands, Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the FBI’s San Juan, Puerto Rico, Division, Virgin Islands Inspector General Steven Van Beverhoudt and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

Julito Francis, 53, former Director of Finance and Administration for the VIPFA, is charged with 11 counts of conspiracy, bribery, extortion under color of official right, honest services wire fraud and perjury.  Gerard Castor, 69, president and owner of Balbo Construction Corporation, is charged with 10 counts of conspiracy, bribery and honest services wire fraud.  John Woods, 59, co-principal of an architectural company that worked on behalf of the VIPFA, is charged with three counts of conspiracy, bribery and extortion under color of official right.

Francis, Castor and Woods were arrested earlier today and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller of the District of the Virgin Islands.  The defendants were released pending an August 12 arraignment.

According to the indictment, Castor provided more than $400,000 in improvements to Francis’ personal residence, and over $10,000 in improvements to Woods’ personal property.  In    return, Francis and Woods used their official positions to ensure that Balbo Construction was awarded construction contracts by the VIPFA that were worth over $17 million, including a multi-million contract, and supplements thereto, to build the St. Thomas Regional Library.  The indictment further alleges that the defendants attempted to conceal the bribery scheme by creating false documents that suggested Francis and Woods intended to pay Castor for the work performed.

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division, St. Thomas Resident Agency, the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General and IRS-CI.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Laura Fulton and Justin D. Weitz of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nelson Jones of the District of the Virgin Islands.  Deputy Chief Tracee Plowell of the Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations and Trial Attorney Jennifer Blackwell of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section participated in the investigation when they were assigned to the Public Integrity Section.

CBP Officers Find Wanted Probation Violator in St. Thomas

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - A woman wanted by New York Suffolk County authorities was recently identified and arrested by Cyril E. King Airport U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers while traveling to Miami, Florida.

Mari Elizabeth Ahevonderae, 42, presented herself for inspection at the Cyril E. King Airport prior to boarding an American Airlines flight destined to Miami. CBP law enforcement databases revealed that Ahevonderae was wanted on a probation violation by the Suffolk County Sherriff’s Office in New York.

After confirmation of the outstanding warrant, Ahevonderae was allowed to travel to Miami International Airport where CBP officers arrested her and turned her over to the Miami-Dade Police Department for extradition proceedings.

“Customs and Border Protection is an agency committed to securing our borders, while at the same time cooperating with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of U.S. laws. CBP officers are always vigilant to detect individuals that have broken our laws and attempt to defeat our justice system,” stated Marcelino Borges, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

The primary mission of CBP is anti-terrorism. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the nation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

St. Thomas CBP Nabs Two Wanted U.S. Citizens at Airport

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport Pre-Clearance facility recently announced the apprehension of two U.S. citizens who were wanted by law enforcement officials in Missouri and Virgin Islands.

On June 8, Christopher E. Willey, 28, a U.S. citizen, presented himself for CBP inspection at the Cyril E. King Airport before boarding his flight to Miami, Florida. Upon examination, CBP officers discovered that Willey was wanted in St. Louis, Missouri on charges of failure to appear and driving under the influence. CBP officers verified the active warrant and coordinated with Miami authorities to process the warrant upon his arrival to Miami. Miami Dade Police officers met Wiley at planeside where he was arrested.

In a separate incident on June 10, Marcia McDevitt, 58, a U.S. citizen, was also identified by CBP officers during a pre-departure inspection at the Cyril E. King Airport. McDevitt had an active warrant in the U.S. Virgin Islands on embezzlement charges. During the inspection process, CBP officers positively identified the individual and confirmed the warrant for her arrest. McDevitt was placed under arrest and taken into custody by the Virgin Islands Police authorities.

“CBP is an agency committed to the security of our borders, facilitation of legitimate trade and travel, and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of U.S. laws. At the pre-departure areas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, CBP officers remain vigilant in the detection of individuals that have broken our laws and attempt to defeat our justice system,” said Louis Harrigan, USVI Port Director.

On a typical day CBP processes over 932,000 international travelers arriving at 329 ports of entry across the U.S. These examinations lead to interceptions of currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture products, wanted persons or other illicit items. Travelers are encouraged to visit the CBP Travel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.