Mapp Relieves Bennett Of Duties As Property And Procurement Commissioner

Property and Procurement Commissioner Randolph Bennett, above, has been relieved of his duties by Governor Kenneth Mapp, the administration’s communication’s director, Cherie Munchez, confirmed to The Consortium Sunday morning. The Consortium became privy to the matter late Saturday.

“Timothy Lake has been assigned by Governor Mapp as the acting commissioner of Property and Procurement, and Commissioner Bennett has been relieved of his duties,” Ms. Munchez said. She did not elaborate on the reason for Mr. Bennett’s removal from the department, which is responsible government property and purchases.

During the governor’s ceremonial vehicle upheaval, Mr. Bennett advocated strongly for Mr. Mapp, stating that the old fleet suffered with multiple problems, and that the old ceremonial vehicle on St. Croix had partly caught on fire. And, showing a tinge of frustration during an interview with this publication last year, Mr. Bennett said the vehicles were not ceremonial or limousines, but rather “official” government vehicles.

“It ain’t no damn limo,” Mr. Bennett fired. “This vehicle belongs to the people of the Virgin Islands, to represent them well. I can’t carry the governor around in a vehicle that had caught on fire.”

Attempts to reach Mr. Bennett by phone and email for comment have been unsuccessful. His replacement, Mr. Lake, has been an acting commissioner at D.P.P., according to this D.P.P. document. Government House did not divulge any information about Mr. Lake.

During his confirmation hearings, Mr. Bennett had confronted a controversy surrounding a then-pending masters degree, with former Senator Kenneth Gittens pointedly criticizing Mr. Bennett, questioning his integrity on the matter. Mr. Bennett later received the degree from Liberty University.