Former US Virgin Islands Budget Director convicted in federal bribery and corruption case

A United States federal jury has convicted former Director of the U.S. Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget, Jenifer O’Neal, on all counts in a high-profile bribery and corruption case following a landmark trial in St. Thomas.

O’Neal was found guilty alongside former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez after jurors returned unanimous verdicts last week.

Prosecutors said O’Neal, a native of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, knowingly participated in a bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy linked to government contracts funded by federal relief money.

The case centred on dealings with cooperating witness David Whitaker, whose business relationships with senior government officials formed the backbone of the government’s case.

According to prosecutors, O’Neal approved and advanced inflated invoices tied to government contracts while receiving personal benefits in return. The jury heard evidence that an invoice valued at US$216,000 was inflated by approximately US$70,000.

Prosecutors argued that O’Neal knew the invoice was fraudulent. When informed that the additional funds were needed for Martinez’s restaurant, O’Neal allegedly responded “lol” before instructing a subordinate to move the invoice forward.

The court also heard evidence related to a lease payment for a coffee shop owned by O’Neal. Prosecutors said she expressed concerns about traceability and did not want the payment directly linked to her.

A subsequent wire transfer showed the lease payment was made by Whitaker, using funds prosecutors said originated from the inflated invoice.

“Nothing about Jenifer O’Neal’s actions was accidental,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherrisse Amaro told the court.

O’Neal faced charges including honest services wire fraud, bribery concerning programmes receiving federal funds, and money laundering conspiracy. She was convicted on every count.

Her defence team argued that the government’s case relied too heavily on Whitaker, challenging his credibility and denying that O’Neal knowingly joined any conspiracy. Her attorney described Whitaker as operating by “lie, steal, repeat,” and maintained that O’Neal’s actions were lawful and misunderstood.

In rebuttal, prosecutors said the case was supported by more than witness testimony, pointing to text messages, recordings, and wire transfers introduced as evidence.

“The government does not pick the criminal co-conspirators,” trial attorney Alexandre Dempsey said. “The criminals pick each other.”

Sentencing for O’Neal has been tentatively scheduled for June 2026. She has been allowed to remain out of custody pending sentencing, with the final penalty to be determined.