A police investigation is under way into an assault incident involving the governor's drug policy adviser, Wayne Chinnery, and the mother of one of his children.
WVWI Radio One reported Wednesday that the victim of the assault, Lori Elskoe, has brought formal charges against Chinnery, alleging that he hit her with his fist several times during what police described as a domestic violence incident on the night of July 5 at Sapphire Beach Resort.
The police report filed by Elskoe, the general manager of WTJX-TV Channel 12, stated that at 10:20 that night, the two exchanged words at Sapphire before Chinnery started to hit Elskoe with his fist. While attempting to escape from him, she fell and scraped her knee.
When Elskoe attempted to get off the floor, Chinnery resumed hitting her with a closed fist, according to the police report.
It said Elskoe left the resort in her vehicle and Chinnery followed her to the Mariel C. Newton Police Command C in Four Winds Plaza, where she filed the assault report against Chinnery.
"The investigation is being conducted by detectives in conjunction with the VIPD Domestic Violence Unit," Police Commissioner Franz Christian confirmed Wednesday.
"It came to us and our investigators are reviewing the alleged assault," he said.
When asked whether the victim could drop charges against Chinnery, Christian said that would be a matter for the victim and the Justice Department.
Government House spokesman James O'Bryan Jr. said the governor is awaiting a full report on the incident and the subsequent investigation from Christian.
Asked whether Chinnery will remain in his post pending the outcome of the investigation, O'Bryan skirted the question by saying, "For now, Mr. Chinnery is off-island."
As drug policy adviser to the governor, Chinnery oversees the day-to-day operations of the Law Enforcement Planning Commission and the Narcotics Strike Force.
The LEPC administers federal grant money to the territory, including funds set aside to protect victims of violent crime and domestic abuse.
