Former acting Health Commissioner Lucien A. Moolenaar II pleaded not guilty Thursday after he was charged with embezzling at least $102,000 from the V.I. government from 1995 to 2000.
Attorney Frederick Watts entered the plea before Territorial Court Judge Brenda J. Hollar. He requested a trial by jury.
Agents of the government's Fraud and Corruption Task Force filed a criminal complaint against Moolenaar two weeks ago, alleging that from 1995 to 2000, more than $102,000 was illegally added to his biweekly government paycheck. Moolenaar resigned as acting Health commissioner the following day. He is on leave from his position as deputy commissioner.
Hollar set a date of Feb. 15 for discovery in the case. She recused herself from further proceedings and said she would ask that the case be reassigned to another judge. Hollar did not explain her decision.