Mapp Leaves Mansion As WICO Document Shows Over $53,000 In Expenditures In 5 Months

ST. THOMAS — A document released on Friday afternoon by the West Indian Company, first reported on by the Virgin Islands Daily News, reveals some stunning details about Governor Kenneth Mapp’s stay at the Estate Nazareth Mansion, called Villa Fratelli Cresta.

The document reveals that up until today, Mapp had been residing in the mansion from January 10, 2015, at a cost to the government of $12,000. However, from March 1, the monthly cost went up to $14,500, a figure that was never revealed by the Mapp administration, even as the territory’s residents were led to believe the cost was lower.

I suspect that I may be the only Governor that does not have a home in the Capitol in the jurisdiction in which he presides. – Gov. Kenneth Mapp.

Mapp said the rental cost was $12,500 on Thursday, February 12 at a press conference at Government House on St. Croix while referencing erroneous information from his Communications Director, Kimberly Jones, that the government’s tab had been $4,000 per month for the rental.

But the $14,500 monthly rental fee did not include other amenities such as electricity, cable, television, telephone, internet and other related rental services, according to the document. Simple arithmetic reveals that the Government of the Virgin Islands spent well over $53,000 for Mapp’s short stay at the mansion.

In a press release issued today, Mapp said he made the decision to leave the villa in an effort to demonstrate his willingness to compromise and cut costs with respect to his cabinet nominees.

“I made this decision to show an additional willingness to reduce expenses and make a path forward to confirm my cabinet,” the chief executive said. “This has been a sticking point in the community, and I hear that.  I suspect that I may be the only Governor that does not have a home in the Capitol in the jurisdiction in which he presides.

“This is not a priority for me, when I ran for this office, I ran for this office because of a vision, a passion and my concern about the welfare and well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands, not for a home.”4

The governor departs the territory on Sunday for Guam, where he will remain for 12 days with all the territorial governors except Puerto Rico’s. He was invited by the Department of Interior.

“On my return I will figure where I may need to sleep when I’m on the island of St. Thomas, but that’s not my issue,” the chief executive said.