ST. THOMAS — He can now be officially called Attorney General of the Virgin Islands; compared to Acting AG, as the 31st Legislature on Tuesday confirmed Mr. Walker, as well as Rick Mullgrav as director of the Bureau of Corrections, and Clifford Joseph as director of the Virgin Islands Fire Service.
They were among six nominees to be approved, while one, Avery Challenger, who was nominated to be a member of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, was rejected by the body with 12 dissenting senators. Only Senators Almando “Rocky” Liburd and Justin Harrigan Sr. voted in the affirmative. Senator Tregenza Roach abstained.
Senators spoke favorably of the three men, who will continue to lead critical branches of government that serve to protect and advocate for the territory’s residents.
“I won’t let you down,” said Mr. Walker. “I’ve been in this position for about four months. I think you’ve seen a considerable change in the way things have been done at the Department of Justice. I think you’ve gotten a fair opportunity to see some of the ideas that I have.”
He continued: “When you consider the HESS transaction, a year ago, this body was looking at voting on HESS selling the HOVENSA refinery for $40 million. Chump change. Tomorrow, you’re going to consider whether the refinery should be sold to ArcLight for $800 million. That’s a direct result of the lawsuit that was filed by the Department of Justice on September 12 against HESS.
“So this proactive posture that I have taken to be an advocate for the people of the Virgin Islands, this is what they want. This is what they expect,” Mr. Walker said.
Senator Kurt Vialet said he supports Mr. Walker because of the attorney’s stance against HOVENSA.
“I’m going to support you because I got the inside scoop that you were the only attorney general that was willing to file a case against Hess Oil. They tried it before your tenure, and nobody wanted to move forward. But as soon as you got there, you were told about the situation and right away filed a case, which led to them filing bankruptcy. So I have to applaud you. [You are] very honest and truthful in terms of your representation,” Mr. Vialet said.
“I thank the almighty one, because without his grace, this day would not have been possible,” said Mr. Joseph, who as selected by Governor Mapp after senators, with the advice of Fire Service employees, rejected the governor’s first choice, Eugene Farell. Mr. Joseph echoed Mr. Walker’s promise by stating that he too would not let the territory nor the department that he leads down.
And Mr. Mulgrav, first thanking God and his parents — the latter for training and raising him right — moved to thank the governor and lieutenant governor for nominating him, and the Bureau of Corrections staff for working faithfully, he said, even with salaries below their qualifications and experience.
Also receiving unanimous support from senators on Tuesday were the following:
- Aracelis Walcott, who will serve as a member of the territorial board from the St. Croix  District.
- Joyce Dore-Griffin, who joins the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission
- Oran Bowery, serving on the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees
Tags: claude walker, clifford joseph, nominees, Rick Mulgrav, senate approvals, us virgin islands
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