Mon Ethos Decries V.I. Government's Contract Cancellations, Cites 'Alarming Frequency' of Criminal Charges Against Officials

Company criticizes the government, citing 'alarming frequency' of criminal charges against officials, and calls out inconsistencies in handling contract cancellations amid Whitaker's guilty plea

The Government of the Virgin Islands has responded to David Whitaker’s guilty pleas on charges of bribery and wire fraud by canceling all existing contracts with Mon Ethos Pro Support. Prior to news of Mr. Whitaker’s plea in district court, the company had just exited litigation with the government over data and physical items representatives of the police department and the Department of Justice said Mon Ethos was unlawfully withholding. The litigation related to an ongoing contractual arrangement between Mon Ethos and the VIPD – the same contracts Mr. Whitaker ultimately pleaded guilty over.

In addition to work performed for the VIPD, Mon Ethos was also contracted to provide over 900 custom-built security cameras and a custom software solution for the V.I. Department of Education. The first delivery of cameras was made at the end of August, but on Monday, Government House Communications Director Richard Motta announced that no more deliveries would be forthcoming. “The government cancel a contract with someone who openly admitted and has pled guilty to defrauding the government of the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Motta said when the subject was raised.