Bryan leads weekly press briefing on rangeof topics including his divorce, top cop pick

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. made several announcements during Tuesday’s press briefing, including nomination of Mario Brooks as V.I. Police Commissioner, additional tax refunds, and major infrastructure projects.

Brooks has been serving as Acting Commissioner since former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez resigned in June amid a federal investigation into government corruption. Martinez has not been arrested or charged with a crime, and Brooks said Tuesday that he could not provide any updates on the investigation. Bryan said the government will release $5 million in tax refunds to 1,943 residents this week, to help Virgin Islanders in the lead-up to Thanksgiving.

Government workers have been granted administrative leave on Friday, Nov. 29. Bryan also announced a plan to use $76 million Grant Anticipation Revenue Bonds to fund transportation projects, including the next phase of the Veterans Drive project on St. Thomas, $28 million for road and infrastructure projects on St. Croix, and $20 million to purchase the ferry connecting St. Thomas and St. Croix.