Former USVI senator convicted of wire fraud and theft of federal program funds
ST THOMAS, USVI — A former senator for the US Virgin Islands has been convicted for wire fraud and theft of federal program funds for taking money ostensibly being used to fund a historical research project.
Wayne A.G. James, 56, of St Croix, USVI, was convicted of two counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of federal program funds. Sentencing has been set for December 20.
“Wayne James abused his trusted position as a senator for the people of the US Virgin Islands by stealing tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to pay his own campaign and personal expenses,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Public corruption undermines confidence in our government institutions and the rule of law. Wayne James’s conviction is a testament to the commitment of the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who breach the public’s trust for their personal gain.”
James was indicted in October 2015. From January 2009 through January 2011, James served as a senator for the US Virgin Islands. According to the evidence admitted at trial, in or about April 2009, James began submitting requests to the Legislature of the US Virgin Islands for funds, ostensibly to pay for research, copying, and translation of historical documents housed at the Danish National Archives related to the Fireburn, a revolt against slave labor that took place in the Virgin Islands in the 1800s.
Read more: https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/2018/08/17/former-usvi-senator-convicted-of-wire-fraud-and-theft-of-federal-program-funds/