May 23, 2006 – Charges against Esdel Hansen, husband of former V.I. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, were dismissed Tuesday after his attorney, George Marshall Miller, entered a motion for dismissal at the close of the government's case against Hansen and two other defendants in the conspiracy and fraud trial that has been underway for two weeks on St. Croix.
A former Public Works official who later became director of utilities for Global Resources Management, Esdel Hansen was accused of helping Global Resources try to swindle the V.I. government of approximately $3.6 million.
The judge found there wasn't enough evidence to go to the jury. James Carroll III, assistant U.S. attorney and spokesman for the office, said Tuesday night that filing a motion to dismiss is standard procedure. He said all the attorneys for the defendants filed for dismissal. Only Hansen's case was dismissed, however.
Hansen was the only person hired by Global Resources at the time they were about to sign a $3.6 million contract with the Turnbull administration to repair the ailing St. Croix sewer system.
A former top official with Public Works, with oversight of the island's wastewater system, Hansen was the only person affiliated with Global Resources who had experience with sewage systems.
Hansen – along with his wife, Ashley Andrews and Campbell Malone – faced a list of federal charges including bribery, conflict of interest, conspiracy, making fraudulent claims, program fraud and wire fraud.
They were accused of trying to swindle the government with a promise to fix the sewer system when Global Resources had neither the personnel nor the resources to handle the task.
A fifth defendant, Ohanio Harris, pleaded guilty to conspiracy May 5, before the start of the trial.
Carroll said the judge didn't find enough evidence to tie Hansen into the conspiracy. "If a judge makes that kind of finding, it is unlikely we can appeal it."
Andrews and Malone will go forward to the defense stage if they decide to present a defense, Carroll said.
Former Sen. Hansen was separated from the initial case and is expected to be tried separately.
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