Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced the nomination of Gordon Rhea as the new Attorney General for the U.S. Virgin Islands during a press conference on Monday. Highlighting Rhea’s extensive background, Governor Bryan described him as a candidate with unmatched legal expertise and service record. Rhea’s educational journey includes degrees from Indiana University, Harvard University, and Stanford Law School.

In his early career, Rhea distinguished himself as a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, later contributing his expertise in Washington D.C. at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities. His professional tenure in the Virgin Islands spans over 40 years, initially serving as an assistant U.S. Attorney before moving into private practice.

Governor Bryan emphasized Rhea’s pivotal role in leading high-profile cases that have shaped the legal landscape in the territory. “His firm addressed some of the most significant legal challenges our community has encountered, such as landmark litigation against prominent industrial corporations concerning toxic exposures and environmental damage. These actions have protected our workforce and natural resources for future generations,” Governor Bryan stated. He specifically noted Rhea’s leadership in securing the largest civil jury verdict in the territory’s history, crucial for public health improvements.

Responding to his nomination, Rhea expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity to serve as the Attorney General. Addressing potential conflicts of interest, particularly Rhea’s prior representation of a defendant in the Virgin Islands’ lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, Governor Bryan reassured that Rhea could recuse himself from any related cases to avoid conflicts.

Governor Bryan also shared his expectations for utilizing funds from the Epstein lawsuit, earmarked for the Justice Department. He expressed hope that under Rhea’s leadership, and pending confirmation, the funds would be used to enhance anti-trafficking initiatives and policies, pending legislative approval, which Rhea’s predecessor deemed necessary.

Following the departure of Ariel Smith from the office of attorney general, a renewed focus has been placed on the high turnover rate among appointees to this position. This situation has spurred legislative action aimed at allowing the residents of the Virgin Islands to elect their attorney general, a proposal brought forth by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger. During a legislative session on March 25, Heyliger introduced Bill 35-0248, emphasizing the necessity to diminish the political influences on the attorney general’s office.

The forthcoming committee discussions will determine the feasibility of requesting Congress’s permission for the USVI to hold elections for the attorney general’s position, a timetable for which remains to be established. Heyliger highlighted the urgency and the widespread desire for this change, noting the successful implementation of elected attorneys general in over 40 states across the nation. She also referenced a past referendum where a significant majority of Virgin Islands residents—76 percent—voted in favor of electing their attorney general, indicating a strong local push for this amendment.

Currently, Ian Clement serves as the acting attorney general, succeeding Ariel Smith, who held the position for less than a year. Smith had been appointed by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. in March 2023, following Denise George’s dismissal, who had served for four years. This legislative proposal marks a pivotal step towards aligning the Virgin Islands with the broader trend of electing attorneys general, aiming to enhance the office’s independence and accountability to the public.

Retirees of the Government Employees Retirement System (GERS) are on the cusp of receiving comprehensive details next month regarding the eagerly awaited revival of a loan program. At a recent assembly, GERS Board of Trustees heard from Administrator Angel Dawson Jr., who announced that specifics of the loan initiative will be disclosed in a press release scheduled for April 8. This program, resuming after a significant hiatus, already showcases a portfolio of loans exceeding $6.4 million across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. Plans are in place to extend this figure to a maximum of $10 million per district, starting with an interest rate of 8 percent.

In addition to financial solutions, Dawson shed light on the advancements in the Havensight Mall renovation effort. Recent discussions have revolved around the creative process of reimagining the mall’s identity, with a focus on naming and design concepts set to resonate within the community.

The financial health of GERS remains robust, despite challenges such as notable arrears in rental and electricity payments, with the Department of Justice highlighted for its outstanding dues. Dawson emphasized the organization’s commitment to rigorous collections, maintaining that GERS operates with financial prudence, not as a credit facility for tenants. “We exert consistent pressure on all tenants, underscoring that financial arrangements should be sought through banks,” Dawson stated, reflecting GERS’s stance on managing receivables.

Amidst these operational challenges, Dawson proudly noted the pension system’s financial status, highlighted by a cash surplus exceeding $63 million. This fiscal accomplishment is attributed to the system’s disciplined approach to managing expenditures, currently reported at only 26 percent of the yearly budget, significantly below the anticipated 42 percent.

The dedication to fiscal responsibility also extends to the management of the Havensight Mall project. Despite a minor cash shortfall due to ongoing capital investments and a temporary decrease in rental income owing to Covid-related concessions, Dawson assured stakeholders of the project’s solid financial grounding, with expectations of rental abatement expiration next year bolstering future revenues.

The board also approved an additional allocation for a new vehicle in St. Thomas, which will be partly funded through the sale of four older vehicles from the agency’s fleet, showcasing GERS’s commitment to optimizing assets for operational efficiency and sustainability.