He Called the Feds—Then They Charged Him: Martinez Tip Sparked His Own Corruption Case

Former VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez requested FBI help to investigate eavesdropping devices he allegedly ordered himself, launching a federal probe that eventually uncovered his own alleged bribery scheme and those of fellow officials.

A new twist in the ongoing federal corruption trial of Calvert White and Benjamin Hendricks emerged Wednesday, suggesting that the sprawling investigation into multiple government officials may have begun with a surprising source: former V.I. Police Commissioner Ray Martinez.

Martinez in August 2022 told the Consortium that the VIPD had requested the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to probe electronic surveillance devices reportedly discovered at several government offices, including Government House, the Office of Management and Budget, and other executive agencies. However, according to witness David Whitaker, Martinez himself was the one who instructed him to place the devices.

At the time, Martinez had harsh words for the alleged perpetrators. “The individuals who placed these devices for nefarious reasons underestimated local law enforcement’s ability to discover them," he told the Consortium. “We will not idly stand by and allow these individuals to trample our civil rights and intentionally interfere with the effective and orderly operation of our government. They underestimated our dedication and access to advanced digital forensic capabilities. Make no mistake we have only just scratched the surface of this investigation.” OMB had even placed some IT employees on leave.