Op-Ed: State of the Territory | The Cost of Corruption: How the Virgin Islands is Being Robbed in Plain Sight

Corruption is a silent thief, robbing citizens of progress, eroding trust in government, and leaving disillusionment in its wake.

Recent revelations involving Mon Ethos and the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) paint a stark picture of how public funds and contracts have been manipulated for personal gain. These aren’t just isolated incidents; they represent a broader betrayal of public trust that demands swift and decisive action.

Corruption Erodes Trust and Governance

When figures like David Whitaker, founder of Mon Ethos, are allowed to operate with impunity, planting spy cameras in government offices and bribing officials, it calls into question the very foundation of our governance. Whitaker, who pleaded guilty to planting surveillance devices in 12 government offices and then billed taxpayers for “discovering” these devices, didn’t just defraud the government—he exploited the very systems meant to protect us. His fraudulent actions drained public resources and exposed the dangerous vulnerability of our institutions.