Facing Racketeering Charge, a Defendant Asks the Court’s Permission to Leave USVI

Questions surround the recent arrest of a woman on St. Thomas, charged with racketeering, grand larceny, computer tampering and defrauding the government. Court records say the suspect was detained on Tuesday when police executed an arrest warrant issued Feb. 2 after the Office of Management and Budget filed a complaint alleging Kristy Bochecchio had helped bilk $500,000 from the government’s economic stimulus account.

Bochecchio made an initial appearance in Superior Court Magistrate’s Division on Wednesday morning. She then quickly paid a $10,000 bond and asked the court’s permission to leave the territory by Friday. She is one of four charged with the crime, according to VIPD.

A spokesperson for the Virgin Islands Police Department credits the work of the department’s Economic Crimes Unit for effecting the arrest.