VIDOJ Commits to Speedy Case Review Amid Fears of Tainted Evidence in Mon Ethos-Linked Prosecutions Following Whitaker’s Guilty Plea

In response to a request from Chief District Public Defender Julie S. Todman, Attorney General Nominee Gordon C. Rhea expressed a willingness to cooperate in identifying cases related to devices handled by David Whitaker’s organizations. Whitaker, formerly the Office of Data Discovery and Forensic Analysis (ODDFA) and Mon Ethos president, recently He pleaded guilty Concerns have been raised about the integrity of evidence in numerous criminal prosecutions over federal wire fraud and bribery charges.

In a letter to Attorney General Todman on Monday, Attorney General Nominee Rhea agreed to help compile a list of prosecutions dating back to 2022 in which Whitaker’s organizations provided support, assistance or bail services. She also committed to providing information on clients connected to devices delivered by the VI Police Department to Mon Ethos and other organizations led by Whitaker.

This follows a press release issued by the Regional Public Defender’s Office (OTPD) last week. called for urgent transparency In light of Whitaker’s criminal actions, the VIPD and VI Department of Justice. Whitaker’s companies were responsible for handling important evidence in several cases, some of which may now be compromised.

Chief Todman emphasized the seriousness of the situation in his statement. “Virgin Islanders were prosecuted on evidence that was now in the custody of this confessed criminal, and the OTPD demands that these cases be identified,” he said. Todman also reiterated the OTPD’s commitment to continuing the investigation and taking all necessary steps to ensure justice if authorities fail to make the necessary disclosures.

“A defendant facing prosecution in a case where any of David Whitaker’s organizations received devices related to that case has the right to be informed of that fact,” Attorney General Nominee Rhea wrote in her letter, adding that the Justice Department is prepared to fulfill its legal and ethical obligations.

Rhea, however, cautioned that the process of identifying related cases would begin immediately, but said it would likely take longer than 14 days. The reason for this delay, he explained, was that the devices were initially sent to Whitaker’s company by the VIPD, not the DOJ. As a result, the DOJ will need to coordinate with the VIPD to obtain the necessary details, identify related suspects, collect case numbers, and confirm the defense attorneys representing each person.

“I assure you that we will start this process immediately and proceed with it diligently,” Rhea said. However, he noted that the completion of this process largely depends on how quickly the VIPD can gather the necessary information.

Rhea also suggested that Chief Todman provide a list and case numbers of defendants scheduled to stand trial in September and October. He said this would allow the DOJ to immediately request that VIPD verify connections between those cases and Whitaker’s agencies.