ST. CROIX — After investigating a complaint against At-Large Senator Angel Bolques Jr. and conducting a formal hearing during which a stipulated settlement agreement was ratified, the Senate Committee on Ethical Conduct is recommending for senators to vote during regular session on a resolution issuing a reprimand to Bolques for violation of oath of office, according to correspondence obtained by WTJX.
A complaint was filed on March 26 with Senate President Milton Potter’s office, accusing Bolques of misconduct, unethical behavior, workplace harassment, financial mismanagement, and creating a hostile work environment, according to a CEC statement issued on April 29 by Senator Kenneth Gittens, the Committee’s chair.
The CEC, composed of five senators, was formally established on March 28 to investigate the allegations. In a letter to Potter dated July 29, Gittens informed the Senate president that the CEC submitted the final consent order in the matter for consideration and vote by all members of the Legislature.
Throughout the course of the inquiry, Gittens indicated in his letter that the CEC interviewed Bolques’ current and former staff, as well as the Legislature’s Human Resources director and Business and Financial Management Division director. He noted that the Committee then issued an advisory opinion to Potter’s office on May 29 that was copied to Bolques and detailed the procedural history, standard of review, findings, administrative foundation, and recommended course of action.
Attorney Michael Sheesley, Bolques’ legal counsel, filed a motion to dismiss that the CEC denied on June 4, Gittens wrote. The CEC subsequently served Bolques with a statement of alleged violations on June 17.
In response, Gittens noted in his letter that Bolques, through his attorney, raised procedural objections under the Legislature’s Rule 810(e), arguing the allegations arising more than 60 days prior to the complaint’s filing were time-barred. This precluded the Committee from pursuing several much more serious allegations, particularly those alleged to have occurred in the summer of 2024, as the Committee could adjudicate only those charges that fell within the allowable timeframe.
According to Rule 810(e), a person may file a complaint that alleges a violation of the standards of conduct, including sexual harassment with the Committee. Except as provided in Rule 810(f), a complaint may not be filed more than 60 days after the date of the alleged violation. Under Rule 810(f), if the Committee determines that the petitioner did not know, or through the exercise of reasonable diligence could not have known of the alleged violation within 60 days after the date that the alleged violation occurred, the complaint may be filed not later than 18 months after the date that the alleged violation occurred.
On July 12, the CEC offered Bolques a stipulated settlement agreement, under which Bolques would enter a plea of no contest to one of the charges — violation of the Legislature’s Rule 102(a): violation of oath of office, Gittens wrote. Bolques accepted the agreement on July 14. The CEC conducted its final hearing on July 24, during which the agreement was formally ratified.
In a statement issued on July 24, Gittens stated that under the terms of the agreement, Bolques entered a no contest plea to the one remaining charge — violation of oath of office. He stated that while the plea does not constitute an admission of guilt, it signifies Bolques’ decision not to contest the specific charge that falls within the permissible reporting window. He stated that the CEC formally accepted the plea, adding that the CEC would make a recommendation to the full body. He emphasized that the proceeding was strictly administrative in nature and did not preclude any other civil or legal remedies that the complainant may seek or pursue through other appropriate forums.
Gittens indicated in his letter to Potter that Bolques engaged in conduct that constituted a breach of the oath of office by failing to faithfully and impartially discharge duties with fidelity, specifically relating to financial mismanagement and improper treatment of staff. During a CEC interview, Bolques admitted to deficiencies in internal oversight, including making an unsubstantiated accusation of payroll fraud against the complainant without any corrective action taken, causing undue emotional distress and fear in the workplace. The CEC found such conduct to be inconsistent with the ethical and fiduciary standards expected of members of the legislative body.
Gittens emphasized in his letter that a stipulated settlement agreement is a common form of administrative resolution. Gittens wrote that while Bolques did not admit to the factual allegations, he agreed to the imposition of a sanction in the interest of resolving the matter and preserving institutional integrity. Gittens requested that Potter convene a regular session for senators to vote on a resolution issuing a reprimand to Bolques under the Legislature’s Rule 810(m).
According to Rule 810(m), if at any time during the Committee’s hearing the respondent admits to some, but not all of the violations or the counts set forth in the statement of alleged violations, and the Committee finds that the admitted violations constitute a violation of the standards of conduct, the Committee shall continue the hearing to determine whether the other alleged violations constituted violations of the standards of conduct. If the respondent admits to all alleged violations, and the Committee finds that the admitted violations constitute a violation of the standards of conduct, the Committee shall terminate the hearing, and take the action required under Rule 810(i).
According to Rule 810(i), not later than 20 days after the issuance of the statement of alleged violations, the respondent may file an answer that admits or denies each count. Upon request of the respondent, the Committee may grant the respondent additional time to respond. Not later than 60 days after the issuance of the statement of alleged violations, the Committee shall hold the hearing.
While Gittens serves as chair of the Committee on Ethical Conduct, Senator Dwayne DeGraff is vice chair. The other members are Senators Carla Joseph, Novelle Francis Jr., and Kurt Vialet.
