Bill to Elect USVI Attorney General Killed in Senate By Gittens, Johnson and Bolques

Gittens doubts elected AGs differ from appointed; Johnson fears donor influence; bill's failure seen as setback for accountability

An attempt by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger to make the attorney general of the U.S. Virgin Islands one elected by the people failed on Tuesday after receiving minimal support from other lawmakers.

If Bill 35-0248 had succeeded, it would have set the stage for the legislature to request the United States Congress to amend the territory’s Revised Organic Act to allow for the direct election of the attorney general. Francis Heyliger’s effort comes years after a 1998 opinion poll found that a majority of voters supported electing the attorney general.

The senator's effort comes after the termination of both Denise George and Ariel Smith within the span of approximately one year. In April, Governor Albert Bryan announced his nomination of Gordon Rhea as the USVI’s newest AG. Ian Clement is the current acting attorney general. READ MORE: