CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (AP):
Jurors began deliberating yesterday on the fate of two officials accused of using political connections in this United states Caribbean territory to illegally secure a no-bid US$3.6 million sewer contract.
During three weeks of testimony, prosecutors said Ashley Andrews, chief of Global Resources Management - a startup company that received a bid to repair St. Croix's sewer system in 2002 - conspired with a former aide to Governor Charles Turnbull to secure the job.
Andrews and Campbell Malone, the company's accountant, face criminal charges including conspiracy, wire fraud and filing false claims. The two men allegedly filed false asset statements for more than US$100,000 while seeking a bond to insure their work. Prosecutors said the company's biggest account balance was only US$5,000.
"This case is about a startup company having no money, having no assets, having no equipment, having no employees and yet they got a $3.6 million contract without a bid," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Nelson Jones.
Global Resources Management performed some work although they had not received government permission to begin.
At one point, they sought government compensation for employees listed as having worked more than 24 hours in a single day.
