ST. THOMAS, USVI – Former Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, Calvert White, 49, and accomplice Benjamin Hendricks, 62, both of St. Thomas, were found guilty today of trading public trust for cold, hard cash. A jury delivered the verdict after a four-day trial, exposing a scheme that poisoned a $1.6 million contract with the stench of corruption.
Acting U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper didn’t mince words. “No one is above the law,” he declared. “Today’s convictions show that even high-ranking government officials will be held accountable for engaging in criminal misconduct. Our community deserves better.” The case lays bare how easily the system can be gamed when those entrusted with public funds prioritize personal gain.
The evidence presented at trial painted a clear picture: White actively solicited and accepted a bribe from a government contractor, David Whitaker, using Hendricks as a conduit. The scheme began in December 2023 and continued until the pair were confronted in June 2024. In return for the illicit payments, White rigged the system to favor Whitaker’s company, ensuring they landed the hefty $1.6 million contract with the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation.
White didn’t just sit back and wait for the money to roll in. He actively abused his position, leaking confidential bid information to Whitaker and using his influence to push the contract award in Whitaker’s direction. Hendricks, meanwhile, played the crucial role of facilitator, handling the dirty money and keeping the scheme afloat. This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment; it was a calculated, sustained effort to defraud the public.
“Public corruption erodes the very fabric of our society,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Devin Kowalski. “The community deserves honesty and integrity from public officials.” The FBI’s San Juan Field Office, St. Thomas Resident Agency, led the investigation, a testament to their commitment to rooting out corruption in the Virgin Islands. The investigation continues, and anyone with information on federal crimes is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at Tips.FBI.Gov.
White and Hendricks now face serious consequences. The charge of Honest Services Wire Fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars, while Federal Programs Bribery carries a maximum of 10 years. A federal district court judge will determine their fate, taking into account sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors. Trial Attorneys Alexandre Dempsey and Lina Peng of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Conley, successfully prosecuted the case, sending a message that corruption will not be tolerated in the Virgin Islands.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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