ST. THOMAS, USVI — Calvert White, 49, former Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, and Benjamin Hendricks, 62, have been convicted in a stunning $1.6 million bribery scheme. Acting U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that both were found guilty of Honest Services Wire Fraud and Federal Programs Bribery following a four-day jury trial.
“No one is above the law,” Sleeper emphasized. “These convictions underscore our commitment to holding public officials accountable for criminal misconduct.”
The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge Devin Kowalski echoed Sleeper’s sentiment, stating, “Public corruption is a cancer that erodes society’s trust. The FBI stands ready to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution.”
Evidence at trial revealed White solicited and accepted a bribe from David Whitaker, a former government contractor, through Hendricks, who acted as an intermediary. The scheme ran from December 2023 until June 2024, when the defendants were approached. In exchange for the bribe, White provided confidential bid information to Whitaker and took official action to secure the $1.6 million contract with SP&R.
Hendricks facilitated the payments, serving as a middleman. Both offenses carry significant penalties: Honest Services Wire Fraud up to 20 years in prison, and Federal Programs Bribery up to 10 years.
The FBI San Juan Field Office, St. Thomas Resident Agency, conducted the investigation. Trial Attorneys Alexandre Dempsey, Lina Peng, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Conley are prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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