Thank you for the opportunity to respond to recent insinuations in the press and elsewhere that my Attorney General’s opinion with respect to the Summer’s End permit was in some way influenced by politics or pressure from Government House. I can assure you that those insinuations are simply untrue.
The facts are that I was asked by Government House to provide a legal opinion concerning the applicability of statutory deadlines to contingent coastal zone permits that require approval from the Federal Government. Following the Justice Department’s usual practice, the resulting opinion was researched and drafted by an experienced attorney in DOJ’s Solicitor General’s Division, reviewed by the Solicitor General, and then reviewed by me before being issued and forwarded to Government House.
My job as Attorney General is to issue legal opinions that correctly apply the law. At no time has anyone from Government House suggested or implied what my conclusions should be. I take very seriously my responsibility to fairly and accurately render legal opinions, irrespective of the consequences when they are applied to specific facts. The law is the law, and my job is to state it clearly and correctly.
I must say that the Governor and his staff have always respected my independence in this regard. The Attorney General’s opinion that I have issued concerning the Summer’s End permit represents my office’s carefully considered legal analysis, and I stand by it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2025
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov
