VIRGIN ISLANDS
The former executive director of the Virgin Islands Legislature, Louis “Lolo” Willis was sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison for bribery and extortion, officials said.
U.S. District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Willis, 57, after his conviction on four counts of federal programs bribery and extortion under the color of official right, authorities announced.
According to evidence, Willis was the executive director of the legislature between 2009 and 2012. His responsibilities included oversight of the major renovation of the Legislature building and awarding and entering into government contracts in connection with the project.
Willis was also responsible for authorizing payments to the contractors for their work.
Evidence indicated that Willis accepted bribes, including $13,000 in cash and checks, from contractors in exchange for using his position to secure more than $350,000 in work for the contractors and to make sure they got paid, officials allege.