News Americas, ST. JOHN’S, USVI, Fri. Jan. 18, 2013: A former U.S. Virgin Islands lawmaker on Thursday admitted to operating and participating in a criminal enterprise including bribery and mail fraud.
Former United States Virgin Islands Senator Alvin Williams, Jr., pleaded guilty to the charges as laid out in a grand jury indictment on Nov. 8, 2012.
Williams, 34, copped a plea to bribing a Virgin Islands public official and soliciting and receiving bribes from numerous St Thomas construction projects developers, along with fraudulently soliciting and increasing staff member salaries and using the increase of funds for his personal use.
He also admitted using Virgin Islands Legislative Staff Members to do his University of Phoenix online coursework for him during legislative work hours.
Williams faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines, along with potential future penalties and restitution.
No sentencing date has been set.
Two other defendants were charged by grand jury indictment on Nov. 8, 2012 following an “extensive investigation” conducted by the Federal Public Corruption Task Force, which comprises the FBI, the US Marshall Service, the IRS-CI, US Department of Education Inspector General, the DEA, the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General and the VIPD.
The proceeds of Williams’ alleged activities total more than $1.12 million, according to the original indictment.
