Bryan Vetoes Vialet-Sponsored Bill Related to Caravelle Hotel Casino a Second Time, Signs a Dozen Measures Into Law

Governor Albert Bryan has vetoed a revised version of what he calls a “special interest” bill the governor previously vetoed. Both measures were sponsored by Senator Kurt Vialet, though the latest bill seeks to reduce from 400 to 75 the number of people a required banquet hall must facilitate as part of the Caravelle Hotel casino’s existing license. The first bill sought to eliminate the requirement for a banquet hall altogether, but it was rejected by Governor Bryan.

The veto was part of actions taken by the governor on over a dozen bills, most of which Mr. Bryan signed into law, according to a release issued by the administration Tuesday.

In his transmittal letter to Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory, Mr. Bryan said he vetoed Bill No. 34-0186 (formerly Bill No. 34-0168) because it is an attempt to establish an exemption for one casino owner in Downtown Christiansted and subverts a pending matter before the Casino Control Commission and the Virgin Islands Superior Court.

The governor also blasted Mr. Vialet in the transmittal letter. "The bill sponsor’s strong advocacy in the media for VIGL Operations, the casino owner, and VIGL’s plans, which are to be affected by the legislation is strongly indicative of the bill being “special interest legislation,” he wrote.

"Using legislation such as Bill Nos. 34-0168 and 34-0186 as special interest efforts to influence the outcome of a matter pending before the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands in favor of one party is not only a violation of the Revised Organic Act as a special interest bill but also is a violation of the Separation of Power Doctrine,” Governor Bryan noted in his transmittal letter.