Governor Bryan Nominates Gordon Rhea as USVI's New Attorney General

On Monday, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. held his second press conference of the day where he confirmed what had been whispered for the last week or so — the nomination of Gordon Rhea as the territory’s next attorney general.

“Attorney Rhea brings to this role a wealth of experience and a proven record of service and legal acumen that is simply unparalleled,” Governor Bryan said, listing Mr. Rhea’s academic credentials from Indiana University, Harvard University and Stanford Law School. The governor pointed to Rhea’s experience as a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles during his early career and his work in Washington D.C. in the legal offices of the Senate Select committee on Intelligence Activities as evidence for his fitness for the task at hand. So does his over 40-years of practice in the Virgin Islands first as assistant U.S. Attorney, and then in private practice.

“His firm tackled some of the most challenging cases our community has faced, including landmark litigation against major industrial giants over toxic exposures, and environmental damages, actions that have safeguarded our workforce and our natural resources for decades. His work in the islands has been nothing short of transformative, achieving the largest civil jury verdict in our history, in a case pivotal to public health,” Governor Bryan said as he lauded Mr. Rhea’s work in winning a historic judgment against R.J. Reynolds and settlements in cases against Hovensa, Lockeed Martin, Alcoa, and the owners of a local alumina refinery.

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