Federal agents Wednesday raided offices in the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Building on St. Thomas, seizing papers, computers and other material in an investigation reportedly aimed at Sen. Alvin Williams.
Agents from the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service arrived at the building at about noon and closed it off. According to people at the scene, the agents moved in and out carrying papers, bags and computer equipment they had seized. All wore dark suits and sunglasses, according to witnesses.
At about 12:45, Nicholas Peru, a member of the V.I. Inspector General’s office, and another man who did not identify himself, left the building and declined to answer a reporter’s questions, saying they couldn’t comment on ongoing investigations.
According to an informed source, the raid was part of a grand jury investigation into Williams’ activities. The source said the probe is focused on allegations that Williams has used his Senate staff for personal business.
With a Senate session scheduled for Wednesday afternoon on St. Croix, there were few officials and staff members available on St. Thomas to comment or provide information. According to the source, Senate President Ronald Russell and Sen. Celestino White were flying back to St. Thomas to find out what was happening.
