|
|
|
March 26, 2007
Government House reacts to federal indictments of EDC abuse In response to the announcement that the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois had filed a criminal indictment of various individuals and entities for engaging "in a scheme to defraud a legitimate economic development program in the U.S. Virgin Islands," Governor John P. deJongh Monday made the following statement: "My Administration has been made aware that certain past abuses of the Virgin Islands EDC program have been investigated and that these investigations led to the indictment filed on March 23rd. The EDC program should and will be used only to stimulate economic opportunities for our residents as both employees and owners of businesses contributing to our economic growth. It must at all times be strictly regulated and fully compliant with all applicable laws. Whatever steps need be taken by the local government to safeguard this program which is essential to our economic future will be taken, and wrongdoing will be investigated and prosecuted by the appropriate government, local or federal." The Governor further noted that it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics or the merits of this or any other particular case, but that all should be assured that the Virgin Islands Government remains committed to growing our local economy in a lawful manner and to fully supporting the EDC program and its beneficiaries. |
