ST. CROIX — Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel is denying rumors that the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant involving him or his office, saying the claims are unfounded and urging the public to rely on verified information.
Gabriel, when contacted by WTJX, said DPW has not received any visits from any federal agents or officers at any of its headquarters, noting that none of his personal nor work-related devices have been seized.
“I’m not involved in any investigations that I know about,” he said. “No one has reached out to me. No one has come to us. No one has talked to me. I maintain that we are here to do a job in in the right way. I use my moral compass to guide me, and as such, I’ll continue to do the job as long as I’m in this position.”
While the commissioner said it has been business as usual at DPW despite the speculation, he noted that the rumors have affected his personal life.
“At the end of the day, I’m a member of this community,” Gabriel said. “My family lives here … these things really do have an impact on, not just the person who the rumor is about, but also their support structure.”
Gabriel said people have been reaching out to him over the last 24 hours, and he has been making calls to let others know he and his family are OK. He said he has also been educating his children, highlighting how quickly misinformation can spread.
That misinformation was shared on social media. A Facebook post that has been shared by multiple people displays a photograph of Gabriel speaking from the podium at Government House and reads, “Derek Gabriel..Just got this. FBI just served a search warrant on Public Works Commissioner and went with his cell phones and laptops.”
While public officials are often the subject of speculation, Gabriel said the speed and reach of the current rumor prompted him to respond publicly.
“I feel like I act with very high ethical standards, and I want the public to maintain that trust in what we do as public servants,” he said. “Usually, I don’t respond to rumors. But in this case, I didn’t want it to continue to grow a life of its own and keep running out of control.”
Gabriel said he believes in the work that DPW is doing, noting ongoing local and federal projects.
“We believe that we are executing as best as we can on behalf of the people of the territory,” he said. “And I didn’t want this to begin to detract from the work that we are doing and that we will continue to do.”
