ST. THOMAS — Federal prosecutors are moving to seize money tied to the corruption case against former Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White, asking the court to formally order the forfeiture of bribe proceeds identified during the trial.
In a motion for a preliminary order of forfeiture filed Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice asked a judge to order the forfeiture of $5,000 in bribe proceeds, saying that the money represents funds traceable to White’s convictions for public corruption.
Prosecutors noted that forfeiture is mandatory under federal law following White’s convictions for honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
White and co-defendant Benjamin Hendricks were convicted last July after a jury found they participated in a scheme to demand and accept bribe payments in exchange for steering a government contract related to the installation of security cameras at Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation facilities.
Earlier this month, prosecutors recommended 12 years and seven months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for White’s role in steering a government contract in exchange for bribe payments.
READ MORE: DOJ seeks 12 years in prison for Calvert White, nine for Benjamin Hendricks after bribery conviction
The motion notes that, at the time of filing, White’s defense attorney had not responded to an email prosecutors sent on Monday requesting his position on the motion or proposed forfeiture amount. Therefore, if White contests the motion, prosecutors said a forfeiture hearing could be held as part of White’s sentencing hearing, which is currently scheduled for January 22.
