ST. CROIX — The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands narrowly approved a resolution as amended during legislative session today by a 7-6 vote to issue a letter of reprimand to At-Large Senator Angel Bolques Jr. and suspend him without pay for 30 days for violating his oath of office after receiving a recommendation from the Committee on Ethical Conduct following its review of a formal complaint made against the senator.
Bolques will be suspended for 30 working days, effective Monday. However, 15 working days shall be held in abeyance. During the abeyance period, which expires on December 31, Bolques must comply with the Legislature’s rules, including its Code of Ethical Conduct. If he violates any of the body’s rules during the abeyance period, he must immediately serve the 15 working days of the suspension and may be subject to additional charges as deemed appropriate by the Legislature.
On Wednesday, Senator Alma Francis Heyliger voiced deep frustration over the handling of the disciplinary process to her colleagues via email, citing a lack of transparency and adherence to legislative procedures.
Speaking with WTJX this morning, before the start of the session, Heyliger said she had formally requested the resolution and related documentation but had received nothing as of 9 a.m. — just an hour before a Committee of the Whole meeting was to begin ahead of the full session.
The Legislature’s vote amended the Ethics Committee’s recommendation following its inquiry into a March 26 formal complaint against Bolques by a staffer. The allegations included workplace harassment, financial mismanagement, misconduct, unethical behavior, and creating a hostile work environment.
The Ethics Committee was appointed by Senate President Milton Potter on March 28, held its first meeting on April 1, and issued Bolques a statement of alleged charges on June 17. Bolques responded on July 7, raising procedural objections under Rule 810(e), which limits the filing period to 60 days after the alleged violation occurred. This excludes much more serious allegations that reportedly happened during the summer of 2024, according to a letter that Senator Kenneth Gittens, Committee on Ethical Conduct chair, wrote to Potter. During a formal hearing on July 24, Bolques pleaded no contest to one remaining charge — violation of oath of office. The full Senate then had until today — 15 business days — to vote on the matter.
Bolques appeared in the chambers today decked out in all red, telling a WTJX reporter that he was outfitted in his “fire suit.”
Senator Kurt Vialet, who served on the CEC along with Gittens and Senators Dwayne DeGraff, Carla Joseph, and Novelle Francis Jr., moved to special order the resolution to the agenda to be considered without any debate. Potter ordered his motion approved after hearing no objection.
The resolution states Bolques breached his oath 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.
After the session ended, WTJX contacted Gittens to provide information on the specific charges, however, he declined to provide additional details regarding the actions Bolques took that led to his suspension.
The Committee recommended that Potter issue a letter of reprimand to Bolques, expressing the Legislature’s disapproval for violating his oath of office under the Legislature’s Rule 102(c). The amendment added Bolques’ suspension.
Gittens offered the amendment on behalf of himself, Vialet, DeGraff, Francis, Potter, and Heyliger, as well as Senators Avery Lewis and Franklin Johnson. Vialet seconded the motion. Heyliger and Joseph both stood up to object at the same time. Potter recognized Heyliger as the objector. Heyliger and Joseph verbally clashed, leading to Joseph stating that she needed to go outside and be with the Holy Spirit. However, she immediately returned to the chambers.
During debate following the objection, Heyliger said while she sponsored the amendment, she objected to give Gittens an opportunity to provide a brief explanation. After hearing Gittens discuss the Committee’s review of the complaints, Heyliger withdrew her objection.
Then, Joseph requested a point of order, noting she had only received the amendment five minutes before the vote despite the Legislature’s Rule 511(c), which states all amendments must be in writing, prepared by the Office of the Legislative Legal Counsel; and bear a stamp showing that the amendment was requested at the Office of Legislative Legal Counsel not less than 48 hours before the time the amendment is offered; and be distributed to each senator not less than 24 hours before the time the amendment is offered.
“So, we are in violation of our own rules that we passed here,” Joseph said.
In response to Joseph’s point of order, the Legislature’s chief legal counsel, Amos Carty Jr., clarified that Gittens offered the amendment to a bill that was special ordered to the agenda. Consequently, Carty said it would have been impossible for the amendment to be distributed as required by Rule 511(c). Potter subsequently ruled Joseph’s point of order out of order.
Upon counsel’s opinion, Heyliger immediately remarked “Fyah Bun.”
The seven senators who voted in support of the amendment and subsequently approved the bill as amended were DeGraff, Francis, Heyliger, Gittens, Johnson, Potter, and Vialet. The amendment as well as approval of the bill as amended were opposed by Joseph, Bolques, and Lewis, as well as Senators Marvin Blyden, Ray Fonseca, and Hubert Frederick. Senators Marise James and Clifford Joseph Sr. were absent.
