Attorneys representing Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen have asked Gov. John deJongh Jr. to pardon the senator, which would allow her to continue as a candidate for the 31st Legislature in the November general election, Government House said Sunday.
DeJongh has directed the attorney general to research the issues presented by the Supreme Court court ordering Hansen off the ballot, according to the Government House statement.
"The governor has called for this review to be concluded with all deliberate speed so that he can have the benefit of full legal analysis before deciding what action will best serve the public interest," the statement said. "These matters need to be promptly resolved to assure the rights of both Sen. Hansen and those of the voters on St Croix as well as to meet the requirements of the election laws."
In an opinion issued Thursday, the V.I. Supreme Court decided Hansen’s conviction on willfully failing to file income tax returns amounted to crimes of moral terpitude, rendering her ineligible to serve in the next Legislature. The court ordered her name to be removed from the ballot, overturning the V.I. Supervisor of Elections and V.I. Superior Court.
“The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands has spoken and it has answered the question of whether the crime of willful failure to file tax returns is a crime of moral turpitude, which would disqualify one so convicted, and not pardoned, from serving in the Legislature," deJongh said in commenting on the decision. "The Court said that it was such a crime. Few can question the duty – legal and moral – of all to file the tax returns they are required to file and pay the taxes they owe. Surely we can all recognize this duty and most especially so in a time of extreme fiscal crisis when we lack the necessary resources to fully fund our government."
However, he said, Hansen’s legal representatives have pointed out that she has been twice elected by the voters of St Croix after they learned of her conviction and after the Election System’s processes resulted in her name being on the ballot for the election of members of both the 29th and 30th Legislature.
“Senator Hansen’s attorney has called upon me as governor to exercise the authority granted to me under the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, to pardon the senator, arguing that a pardon at this time will remove her disqualification for service in the 31st Legislature.”
What a crock! She should never have been allowed to run in the first place after her conviction. IF the VI Government and Senators had done the right thing, then and there, we wouldn’t be treated to this dog and pony show, now.
It is absolutely mind-boggling that DeJongh would even consider pardoning her. Her crimes speak for themselves and were indeed “willful.” It is time this woman faces the consequences of those actions at long last. I hope he doesn’t pardon her but I have lost faith in this Government to do the right thing.
They don’t seem to know what that is.
So Hansen avoided paying taxes and she’s a Senator. Tim Geithner didn’t pay his taxes and became head of the US Treasury. (see a pattern here) Maybe it’s the way of government these days? Ted Kennedy kills his secretary and remains in the Senate for the rest of his life. Bert, the racist, Bryan kills his son and is still in the Senate. (see a patter here) Maybe it’s the way of government these days. The answer: Term limits for all. No ands, ifs or buts . . . Term limits for all.
It is my understanding that this lady Hansen was convicted in federal court for the crime. My question now is does the governor have the authority to pardon her or is it up to the president of the United States do pardon Hansen
Alana, it’s been interesting to see your transformation from a blind deJongh loyalist to someone who’s finally seen the light. Your governor is a crock, or should I say crook? He’s been a Hansen supporter ever since she got back into the local political scene and I believe he’s going to pardon her. He knows that she knows a lot of the secrets they’ve shared with various deals before the legislature. Why do you think she changed her vote on the HOVENSA agreement? Hmmm…
You know, I agree on the Hansen matter. But your little tirade could be amended to include right wing whacko liars and criminals as well. But that’s not the way it works when your political proclivities are intransigent to the point of fabrication.
I lived in St. Thomas for 10 years, and this surprises me on only one level….if you’ve ever met Ms Hansen, you know that she is completely INSANE!!! This is a person who couldn’t hold any type of job, any type, anywhere but the VI. Saw her once at the Seaplane dock in Christainsted, dressed in an outfit befitting for Jouvert…head-dress, the whole bit. People, it was October! She asked for a pastry and drink at the concession stand there. After it was given to her, she walked away without paying and sat down across the way. The young lady who served her, waited a few minutes in puzzlement, then walked over to her and kindly asked for her to pay. Ms. Hansen looked at her like she never met her! Entitlement? She wasn’t a Senator at the time…she was looking to fight her way back into the VISEP (Virgin Islands Senatorial Entitlement Program!) Nope, just sheer nut-so-ism. This wasn’t just a bad day for Ms. Hansen, it seems like its every day, based on her resume’. Unfortunately, the good people of the VI don’t know much different. The years of having these types of characters run the territory has numbed their standard down to choosing between candidates having morals, promoting corruption and croney-ism, and possessing little or no education. Unfortunately it will never end….
FormerResidentLuvtheVI
It’s unfortunate when one must base a vote on the lesser of evils when presented with terrible choices to begin with. I have never been a “blind loyalist”
and am just as disgusted with him, many of his actions and choices as governor. But with the coin toss between he and Mapp, I chose what I considered to be the lesser of evils. I’d probably do it again given the same choice.
When Biggs went to jail and paid his debt to society, you welcomed him back into our govt. After Chucky was found guilty and punished, you want her legally barred from the Senate. People have the right to work….after due process comes re-integration into society and a chance to do right. These are not Virgin Islands principles; they are American ones.
Chilliwest, it isn’t what the people want, but rather what the Revised Organic Act says. Anyone convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude is not eligible to be an elected official. Biggs isn’t the one wanting to be a an elected official, Hansen is. Your trying to connect the two of them is not only unfounded, but also shows how desperate you Hansen apologists are.
You mean the Revised Organic Act….around the same time as Brown v. Board, before Rosa Parks refused to go to the back of the bus, before Emmet Till, before the civil rights bill, before the voting rights bill, before the March on Washington? Imagine an evil system defining moral turpitude. A fat joke!
Unfounded? Chucky and Biggs both defrauded the govt. They were both tried and both convicted. Somehow, it is ok for Biggs to resume his life but not Chucky. The only difference is that one position is by election and the other position is by the rancid ‘good ole buddy system’ appointment. The one that the majority of us don’t have a say in.
Chilliwest, you must have a comprehension problem or something. The laws are the laws. Biggs has a NON-ELECTED position in government. The ROA of 1954 doesn’t require the same level of scrutiny for said position as it does for an ELECTED position. All of your Brown v Board, Rosa Parks, Emmet Till references don’t make up for the fact that Hansen as a lawmaker was getting elected for years and not doing what her voters do out of respect for the law, filing her taxes. Stop making excuses for this fraud, pun intended, since fraud is why 3 non-white justices labeled her guilty of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Chucky got what she deserved. End of discussion.
The Revised Organic Act…enacted in the greatest legislative city in the world, Washington, D.C., USA. Perhaps, moral turpitude should have prevented a convicted D.C. Mayor from running for office following his crack cocaine conviction and jail sentence. Perhaps, we should emulate the great Washington, D.C. and follow their lead. You remember Marion Barry….who won his fourth term by the people. If this is a govt. of the people, for the people, and by the people, you should suppport the idea of letting the people decide if Chucky should represent us. Stop throwing stones at sinners, sinner!
No amount of pontificating on Hansen’s behalf can undo her stupidity Chilliwest. The Supreme Court is protecting the masses from the blind sheep. She’s off the ballot for 2014, even if she gets the pardon. Gone, Goodbye.
No, it’s not O.K. for Biggs to skate into a position with WTJX right out of prison. But I’m guessing he’s got information that someone doesn’t want shared. That’s why SOME people that were in high Agency positions when that whole matter went down quietly resigned and were provide more guarded, “quieter” positions. Can we think of any examples?
Whacko liar criminals? No, I wasn’t talking about the race baiting faker in the White House – that’s a whole other story. What I wrote was the truth and if you know of any right wing whacko who killed his secretary or son and still remains in office – please educate me. But then I have found that truth to a child minded liberal is like a crucifix thrown into the face of a Vampire: Intolerable.
She should not be pardoned. Not filing taxes is a crime and if the Governor pardons her, how can he jail other individuals who haven’t filed their tax returns and enforce the tax laws. Pardoning her will set a terrible precedence. And I thought it was a federal crime and so I was under the impression that President Obama was the one needed to pardon her. Hopefully it is such!