DLCA Cracking Down Hard On Businesses Operating Without License

ST. CROIX — The Government of the Virgin Islands, according to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner designee Devin Carrington, can’t afford for “preciously needed monetary resources to remain uncaptured through actions that circumvent or violate the law,” and he is willing to do what it takes to make sure that contractors operating without a license in the territory be “dealt with to the fullest extent.”

That’s according to a press release DLCA issued on Friday following what it calls a “productive meeting” with an unnamed government agency, where it was uncovered that several contractors retained by the agency were operating without obtaining a business license as required by law.

It was further discovered that certain contractors may not have registered job vacancies with the Department of Labor, which also violates VI Code.

The release states that as a result of the meeting, DLCA and the agency devised a mechanism for promptly bringing violators into compliance with licensing requirements as well as a method to ensure that non-Virgin Islands contractors seeking to secure work in the territory comply with all licensing requirements prior to commencing work.

In January, Carrington said whether it’s the undertaking of a major project or the small job of painting a person’s porch, persons or organizations seeking to perform any work in the territory in exchange for monetary payment need to first secure a license.

The commissioner cited VI Code Title 27, Section 307, which states: “Every person or association wishing to engage in any business, occupation, profession, or trade in the Virgin Islands, as a condition precedent to engaging in such in any such business, occupation, profession or trade, shall apply promptly in writing to and obtain from the Commissioner of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, a license to engage in or conduct such business, occupation, profession or trade.”

Commissioner Carrington said part of the reason for issuing the warning was to protect residents from “fraudulent individuals and entities.” He also said residents should always require individuals or businesses contracted to do the work be licensed.

“In order to protect yourself from fraudulent individuals or entities claiming to be ,bona fide businesses, each consumer needs to ensure that they are dealing with entities that are licensed under the laws of the Virgin Islands,” said Carrington.

In addition, Carrington said it is the mandate and intention of DLCA to ensure that the laws relative to business licensure are complied with by all, regardless of whether the business conducted is with a private or public entity. He added that the department is in the process of requesting from all governmental departments and agencies information regarding business entities that had in the past or are currently performing work on a contractual basis.

Where it is found that the law has been violated, Carrington said DLCA is willing to work with the private or public entities to make sure that they come in compliance, but that the department is ready to exercise its authority through fines and other punitive measures.