[ad_1]
By Janeka Simon (VI Consortium) Andrew Fahie was convicted of drug trafficking and racketeering in February and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Prosecutors argued that the nature and severity of the former British Virgin Islands prime minister’s crimes warranted a life sentence, while defense attorneys argued he should be sentenced to 10 years.
Judge Kathleen Williams said on Monday that Fahey’s agreement to use British Virgin Islands territorial waters as a safe haven for ships carrying cocaine heading to the United States from Colombia was “the ultimate betrayal” of the British Virgin Islands people he served as prime minister.
Despite Mr. Fahey’s efforts to “turn the BVI from a renowned tourist destination into a haven for drug trafficking,” Judge Williams acknowledged that Mr. Fahey, during his political career, helped members of his community further their educational and career ambitions.
Some of those who benefited from these efforts have in turn tried to help him when he needed it, writing character references to judges. One doctor recounted how Mr. Fahey intervened on her behalf when the University of the West Indies wrongly rescinded her scholarship, and again when she sought professional help.
Retired Judge Rosalind Toulson wrote from Delaware to discuss Mr. Fahey’s work with young athletes in the British Virgin Islands. She called herself a “friend” of the now-convicted felon and said she “has seen Andrew devote countless hours and resources to helping athletes from the British Virgin Islands navigate the complex U.S. college admissions process.”
[ad_2]
Source link
