Government House, Mon Ethos owner clash on contract cancellation, unpaid invoices

Government House Communications

Government House Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. said Monday that it would be “imprudent” for the government to continue working with cybersecurity contractor Mon Ethos Pro Support, following company founder David Whitaker’s guilty plea to federal wire fraud and bribery charges on Thursday.

“The government cancelled a contract with someone who openly admitted, and has pled guilty to defrauding the government of the Virgin Islands,” Motta said during the weekly press briefing. “I think it would have been imprudent for the government of the Virgin Islands to continue to proceed doing business with that entity, given what has come to light.”

The current owner of Mon Ethos, Curtis Jones, fired back with a statement distancing the company from Whitaker, who has been ordered by a judge to turn over all control of Mon Ethos.