U.S. Virgin Islands – Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced that the legal action filed by Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Carolyn F. Fawkes, against the Board of Elections and its members who voted to place candidate Ms. Ida Smith’s name on the ballot was dismissed on November 12, 2024, following a Memorandum Decision and Order issued on November 8, 2024. The Court held that as an employee of the Government of the Virgin Islands, Ms. Fawkes had no authority to independently sue, without explicit statutory authority to do so, except under the enforcement authority of the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands. The Court further held that Ms. Fawkes could not continue her suit as a taxpayer “because she cannot show that she has suffered an injury of some substantial right”.
U.S. Virgin Islands — V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea today joined a coalition of 50 states and territories announcing two significant cooperation agreements and settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex totaling $49.1 million to resolve allegations that both companies engaged in widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs. As part of their settlement agreements, both companies have agreed to cooperate in the ongoing multistate litigations led by Connecticut against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives. Both companies have further agreed to a series of internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws. A motion for preliminary approval of the $10 million settlement with Heritage was filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut in Hartford. A settlement with Apotex for $39.1 million is contingent upon obtaining signatures from all necessary states and territories and will be finalized and filed in the U.S. District Court in the near future.
U.S. Virgin Islands – Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced today that 37 federal law enforcement officers have recently been commissioned as Virgin Islands Peace Officers. The officers received their commissions after completing the required training on Virgin Islands history and cultural sensitivities, led by UVI Professor Olasee Davis.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands — A solemn event was held in the U.S. Virgin Islands to honor the lives tragically cut short by violence, bringing together families, friends, and communities in remembrance. The day provided an opportunity for sharing stories of loss and resilience, offering mutual support, and healing through shared grief. The 17th annual observance of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims was hosted on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the Emancipation Garden in St. Thomas, in collaboration with the Victim Services Unit of the V.I. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Family Resource Center (FRC), and the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD).
U.S. Virgin Islands — V.I. Attorney General Designee Gordon C. Rhea announced that 25- year-old Rajah Caul Jr. was sentenced on September 30, 2024, to thirty years in prison for the January 2021 homicide of Michael Anthony Cruz.