TESTIMONY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL 
PATRICIA L. PRYOR, ESQ.  
THIRTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY, JUSTICE AND PUBLIC 
SAFETY 
JUNE 4, 2026 
 
 
Good morning, Chairman Clifford Joseph, Committee on Homeland Security, 
Justice and Public Safety members, bill sponsor Senator Avery Lewis, other 
Senators, Legislative staff, and the listening and viewing audiences. I am Patricia 
Lynn Pryor, Director of the White Collar Crime and Public Corruption Unit for the 
Virgin Islands Department of Justice, and it is my honor and privilege to appear 
before you today.  
 
The Department of Justice appreciates the opportunity to review and provide 
comments on Bill No. 36-0139. Although the stated purpose of Bill No. 36-0139 is 
to amend title 31 of the Virgin Islands Code, chapters 20 and 21, to assess civil 
liability for destruction of or damage to government property through willful or 
negligent acts, the Department of Justice believes this measure is duplicative and, 
therefore, unnecessary. The Virgin Islands Code already allows for causes of action 
and remedies for both negligent and intentional destruction of government property, 
including the enforcement of internal departmental policies and procedures and the 
filing of civil actions, if needed.  
Virgin Islands Department of Justice  
Bill No. 36-0139 - Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety 
June 4, 2026 
Page 2 of 2 
 
 
For example, the penalties and financial responsibility for misconduct and 
physical damage to any of the Government’s motor vehicles are currently codified 
in title 31 of the Code, chapter 20, section 167. Additionally, civil actions are another 
available remedy to recover damages for damage to or destruction of government 
property. Civil actions for damage to or destruction of real or personal property are 
governed under title 5 of the Virgin Islands Code.  
 
Finally, Departments and Agencies within the Government of the Virgin 
Islands should have formal policies regarding the use and misuse of government 
property, including vehicles. By allowing individual Departments and Agencies the 
autonomy to resolve these matters in-house, claims can be resolved quicker and 
more efficiently, which can result in reduced costs. Matters that cannot be resolved 
internally should be escalated through the remaining available avenues.  
Although Bill No. 36-0139 addresses a legitimate concern, it is not necessary. 
Duplicative laws should be avoided as they are an inefficient use of resources that 
can lead to significant problems, including inconsistency in the law and, as a result, 
arbitrary enforcement.  
I thank the Committee for allowing the Department of Justice to testify on Bill 
No. 36-0139. This concludes my formal remarks. I welcome any questions you may 
have.