Financial Crime Investigation and Analysis in Virgin Islands, U.S. Under Close Scrutiny
The Virgin Islands Department of Justice has taken a significant step to combat financial crimes and corruption by establishing a White Collar Crime Section. This section is responsible for conducting aggressive prosecution of white collar crime and corruption cases, ensuring that those who engage in illegal activities are held accountable.
Establishment and Mandate
The White Collar Crime Section is mandated by Section 118 of Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code. It falls under the supervision of a director and is tasked with investigating and prosecuting financial crimes and public corruption offenses generated by private citizen complaints and referrals from other law enforcement agencies.
Responsibilities
The section is divided into two functional components: prosecution and investigation.
Prosecution
- Staffed with Assistant Attorneys General who provide legal advice to law enforcement during investigations
- Evaluate evidence and determine what charges should be filed based on the presented evidence
- Bring cases to trial and full prosecution
Investigation
- Conducts in-house investigations of individual citizen white collar/public corruption complaints
- Financial investigations conducted by a certified fraud examiner and a peace officer/investigative accountant
Sources of Cases
Cases referred to the White Collar Crime Section come from various sources, including:
- Virgin Islands Police Department
- Virgin Islands Inspector General Office
- Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue
- Private citizen complaints filed directly with the section or the Attorney General
By establishing a dedicated White Collar Crime Section, the Virgin Islands Department of Justice demonstrates its commitment to combating financial crimes and corruption. The section’s aggressive prosecution and investigation efforts will help ensure that those who engage in illegal activities are held accountable and that justice is served.