WAPA finally releases new CEO’s contract

The V.I. Water and Power Authority has finally released CEO Karl Knight’s contract, after six months of requests by The Daily News.

Knight was named executive director of WAPA in July, and spokeswoman Shanell Petersen acknowledged questions about his salary and benefits, but said she was still waiting for legal approval to release that information. Petersen subsequently ignored numerous follow-up requests for information about Knight’s compensation. Knight disclosed his salary in an interview with The St. Thomas Source, which was published online on Jan. 16.

At a WAPA event on Jan. 17, The Daily News requested the information from both Knight and Petersen in person. Both pledged to provide a copy of the contract by the end of the day. “Before today is out, you’ll have it,” Knight said. “We don’t have anything to hide, I think we’re very public with everything that we do.” Knight and Petersen did not release the contract as promised. The Daily News sent additional requests, and Petersen finally provided a copy of the contract Wednesday.