GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS 
OFFICE OF THE V. I. INSPECTOR GENERAL 
2315 Kronprindsens Gade #75, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V. I. 00802-6468 
100 Lagoon Complex, Suite 8, Frederiksted, St. Croix, V. I. 00840-3912 
 
 
             Tel: (340) 774-3388 STT 
STEVEN VAN BEVERHOUDT 
 
(340) 778-9012 STX  
  V.I. INSPECTOR GENERAL 
 Fax: (340) 774-6431 STT    
 
(340) 773-2501 STX 
 
COMMENT ON BILL 31-0150 
Good morning Senator Kenneth Gittens, Chairman of the Committee of 
Rules & Judiciary, other members of the Committee, other senators, ladies and 
gentlemen. My name is Steven van Beverhoudt. I am the Virgin Islands Inspector 
General. I am here this morning at your request to comment on Bill 31-0150, an 
Act to amend Title 3 Chapter 25 of the Virgin Islands Code.  
My comments will be very brief. The bill provides for the forfeiture of 
retirement benefits for elected and appointed officials upon the conviction of 
specific felonies. I understand the intent of the bill and I applaud the sponsor for 
the desire to hold wrongdoers accountable for their offenses. However, I have two 
basic concerns with the bill as proposed. First, why is it limited to only elected and 
appointed officials? Other employees of the Government can commit the same 
felonies that are the basis of this bill. As an example the former Deputy Chief of 
Staff was convicted for the embezzlement of about $1 million. If this bill was the 
law at the time, would he have been affected by the provisions? 
Second, an embezzlement of $101 or more is considered a felony. Should a 
30 plus-year employee, who may have been caught for a $101 embezzlement, lose 
their entire pension. Then, without any income, does that person now become a 
bourdon on society? Shouldn’t the statute require that the retirement contributions 
be used for restitution and to assist in the cost of care while the person is 
incarcerated, but once released shouldn’t the remaining reduced pension be 
released to the person? 
Again, I applaud the sponsor of the legislation; however, I present my 
concerns for consideration. 
I thank you for the opportunity to comment on Bill 31-0150.