I was not going to comment on the incident that occurred at the Virgin Islands Republican Party Territorial Committee regular meeting on April 16.
Personally, I found the whole ordeal gross and distasteful, however, the parties involved resolved the matter and I respected their privacy. However, I came across a news article, as well as public statements, that tells a fairy tale of the events that transpired – manufactured purely for political gain and found it my duty to clear the air.
On Saturday, I arrive at approximately 8:45 a.m. at the scheduled ratification meeting of the Territorial Committee. The other item on the agenda, which was issued in full compliance with party rules, was ratifying new members David Johnson, Garfield Duran and myself.
I was honored when the chairman, John Canegata, appointed me to the Territorial Committee, as it was another great opportunity to serve my community. I have no interest in the current infighting or even taking sides. I am solely here to help reform and grow the Republican Party with the hopes of being able to improve the quality of life for all Virgin Islanders.
The meeting started off with the role being called in attempt to establish a quorum. With a quorum established, a motion was made by Fred Espinosa to bring the only item on the agenda up for consideration. The motion was seconded by the National Committeewoman Lilianna O’Neal.
A voice vote commenced and a majority of votes were to ratify the new members. A subsequent motion was made and seconded Espinosa and O’Neal to adjourn, which also passed. At this point, all respectability left the room.
Gwen Brady, enraged by the fact that she was outmaneuvered, immediately lashed out. At the breakdown of the decorum, multiple individuals began recording the incident to include the parliamentarian who was subsequently hit in the head with his own cellphone, which was snatched and hurled by Gwen Brady in an attempt to stop recording the post- meeting situation.
Allegations were made that Brady was the victim of an assault. This is demonstrably false.
She lunged at the parliamentarian and was stopped from further attacks on him by the blocking of Espinosa, whose sole intent was to prevent bodily harm to either parties. I also rushed in to shield the parties from each other, so the notion that Brady was thrown or rather pushed to the ground is totally ridiculous. In fact, the officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department who responded concluded Brady had committed a simple assault against the parliamentarian.
What was truly sad is the fact that instead of attending to their friend, Holland Redfield, Warren Bruce Cole, Noel Loftus, Herbert Schoenbohm and others abandoned Brady to instead make false statements and also execute an illegal Territorial Committee meeting in the office of Cole with the convicted felon Schoenbohm as acting chairman. You would think that as an attorney and member of the Bar, Cole would at least be wise enough to know when he is committing fraud.
An audio recording published by Schoenbohm speaks for itself. (Note the filename “final edit.” What was edited out?)
I constantly ask myself why is it that Redfield and others are working so hard to make sure that the outsider John Yob and his friends are delegates to the Republican National Convention. I keep coming to one conclusion: there must be significant monies involved or even possible presidential appointments at stake.
After all, Redfield has publicly said he’s the prettiest girl at the prom who wants more than flowers from her courters.
Regardless, this entire ordeal is very strange.
Editor’s note: Jevon Williams’ appointment as a delegate to the Territorial Republican Committee was at stake at the meeting.
