ST. CROIX — MSI Building Supplies Inc. recently sued government contractor Benjamin Hendricks, owner of A Clean Environment USVI and co-defendant in a federal bribery case involving three former government officials, for $31,354.62 allegedly owed for materials ordered on credit in a breach of contract claim.
MSI, a St. Thomas-based construction material supplier, indicated that its longtime customer Hendricks requested credit to purchase materials and pay later, according to a civil complaint filed in Superior Court by attorney Michael Sheesley on April 25.
MSI noted in the complaint that Hendricks agreed that a 1% monthly charge would be due on all outstanding charges but has refused to pay the outstanding amounts due after receiving materials. The $31,354.62 balance as of March 20 continues to accrue finance charges.
MSI, which stated it entered a contract with Hendricks, claims Hendricks is obligated to pay the outstanding balances due for materials as well as the service charge. The company stated in the complaint that Hendricks did not dispute the amount owed.
MSI is suing Hendricks for the principal amount due with interest accruing at the rate of 1% per month until judgment is entered and reasonable costs of collection, including costs and attorney fees in filing its complaint, as well as such other relief the court deems just and proper.
Hendricks is a co-defendant along with former Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White in a federal case charging them both with wire fraud and bribery. They allegedly accepted bribes from David Whitaker, the founder of a local cybersecurity firm who accepted a plea agreement after planting spy cameras in various VI government offices, bribing a police official to obtain contracts, and attempting to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program, according to court documents.
In addition to Hendricks and White, former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and former Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal are accused of accepting bribes from Whitaker. They are both charged with wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. Martinez is also charged with obstruction of justice.
Hendricks and White are charged together in one case, while Martinez and O’Neal are co-defendants in another case. All four pleaded not guilty during their initial appearance and arraignment January 10 in District Court on St. Thomas.
