>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, IT´S FOR OR STAFF.

>> ON THIS EPISODE OF COMES WITH THE TERRITORY WNBA BREAKOUT ALL-STAR AALIYAH BOSTON IS IN STUDIO.

STAY TUNED WITH THE SPECIAL ONE- ON-ONE INTERVIEW.

>>> ST. CROIX TAXI OPERATOR SHARE THEIR CONCERNS AT A TOWN HALL MEETING.

WE WILL HAVE THE DETAILS.

PLUS, IF AN OWNER ALLEGES SEXUAL HARASSMENT .

THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ETHICAL CONDUCT IS INVESTIGATING.

WE WILL HAVE MORE.

AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPREME COURT IS A LIBERATING THE DECISION TO CHARGE SENATOR PAIN WE WILL HAVE THE DETAILS.

AND LATER, THIS WEEK´S PANEL JOINS THE CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

COMES WITH THE TERRITORY STARTS NOW.

>> WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

I AM LESLEY COMISSIONG.

ALIYAH BOSTON IS THE EMBODIMENT OF LIVING VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY AND THE GREAT PART IS WE ALL GET TO WATCH.

>> THE ST. THOMAS NATIVE HAS BECOME THE FIRST-EVER WNBA PLAYER FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE SHE RECEIVED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HONORS WITH THE INDIANA FEVER.

SHE HAS WON AN NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND IN 2022 WAS THE CONSENSUS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND UNANIMOUS FIRST- TEAM ALL-AMERICAN.

THAT IS JUST SOME OF HER MANY ACCOLADES.

WHILE BASKETBALL HAS TAKEN THIS ISLAND GIRL ALL OVER THE WORLD SHE HAS REMAINED TRUE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ALWAYS REMEMBER HER HOME, GIVING BACK TO HER COMMUNITY AND REACHING OUT IN MANY WAYS TO HELP MAKE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ALIYAH BOSTON´S POSSIBLE .

>> WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS AND BEING RECOMMENDED FOR THE KEY OF THE TERRITORY?

IF IT REALLY IS A SPECIAL MOMENT.

I´M FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS , I MOVED TO MASSACHUSETTS, BUT I ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO SAY I´M FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS IS WHERE IT ALL STARTED PLAYING IN GRIFFIN PARK, 6 A.M. WITH UNCLE RUDY.

THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.

>> AALIYAH IS SUCH AN INSPIRATION FOR ALL VIRGIN ISLANDS AND EMBODIES THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE TERRITORY AND IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR SO MANY OF US.

SOMETHING TELLS ME SHE IS JUST GETTING STARTED AND WE WILL HAVE MORE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND HISTORY TO CELEBRATE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

WE ONLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

I WANT TO GET RIGHT DOWN TO IT.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE GROWING UP HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IF I LOVED IT.

I LOVE THINKING BACK TO THE MEMORIES WHERE I THINK I DEFINITELY MISS THE BEACH.

I THINK ONE THING THAT SEPARATES THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS THE COMMUNITY.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO CHEER FOR YOU AND WANT TO SEE YOU WIN.

PEOPLE JUST TALK ABOUT HOW THEY CONTINUE TO WATCH.

IT´S REALLY NICE.

>> AND YOUR TESTIMONY BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE YOU MENTIONED PLAYING A GRIFFITH PARK AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INSPIRATIONAL IN YOU BECOMING WHO YOU HAVE BECOME.

NAME SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE.

>> DEFINITELY UNCLE RUDY.

I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

YOU HAVE COACH BREWER.

I DEFINITELY HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TAKE MY FAMILY AS WELL.

GOD IS WITH SO MANY PEOPLE IN MY SISTER AND I´S PATH AND OPENED SO MANY DOORS THAT IT IS KIND OF HARD TO START NAMING PEOPLE AND THEN STOP.

THERE WILL BE SOME PEOPLE THAT WILL BE LIKE I LOVE YOU.

DEFINITELY MY AUNTS, OPENING HER DOOR TO MY SISTER AND I TO MOVE TO THE STATES.

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT THE TRANSITION.

I´VE HURT YOUR MOM AND YOUR DAD´S SIDE OF THE STORY.

HE IS LIKE SHE NEVER TOLD ME.

>> YOU MOVED TO MASSACHUSETTS , WHAT WITH THE TRANSITION LIKE FOR YOU?

>> IT HONESTLY WASN´T HARD.

IT WAS QUITE EASY AND PART OF THAT WAS BECAUSE OF HOW YOUNG WE WERE.

IT WAS LIKE THIS IS REALLY EXCITING TO STAY IN THE STATES.

WE WENT THERE LOOKING FOR CAMPS.

IT WAS KIND OF LIKE DO YOU WANT TO STAY UP THERE?

WE NEVER CAME BACK DOWN FOR THE SUMMER.

THAT IS HOW IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE.

MY PARENTS PROBABLY HAD IT A LOT HARDER.

FOR US IT WAS LIKE SURE, IT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MORE MEMORABLE MOMENTS?

AS A I THINK IT SOMETIME I KNOW FOR THE ALLEN KIDS EVERY TIME YOU SEE SNOW IS LIKE OH MY GOD.

IF THAT WAS ME ALSO.

WE HAD A TOURNAMENT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

EVERYONE WAS SAYING I WAS SUPER EXCITED.

I WENT OUTSIDE AND I THOUGHT THIS IS GREAT.

AND THEN WENT BACK TO MASSACHUSETTS THAT FIRST WINTER WAS THE WORST IN NEW ENGLAND.

IT WAS CRAZY.

I WAS LIKE THERE´S NO WAY THAT I JUST CAME FROM HOT AND SUNNY TO COLD.

BUT IT NEVER STOPPED ME FROM WEARING SHORTS IN THE WINTER.

>> SO YOU GET TO MASSACHUSETTS AND YOU ARE ON A NEW TEAM.

WHAT WAS THE TRANSITION FROM PLAYING BALL IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TEAMS IN THE STATES?

>> I THINK IT WAS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE.

IT´S A LOT MORE INTENSITY.

THERE IS A LOT MORE DIFFICULTY.

THE TRAINING, IT IS INTENSE.

WE PLAY FOR ISL AND WE LIVED IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THAT´S HE WAS OUT OF NEWARK.

EVERY SATURDAY MY AUNT WOULD WAKE UP AT THE CRACK OF DAWN AND DRIVE US TO CONNECTICUT.

WE WOULD GET WITH ONE OF OUR TEAMMATES AND THEN WE WOULD STAY THE WEEKEND.

I THINK THAT SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF SACRIFICE AND THE AMOUNT THE GOALS INTO THE TRAINING TO BE WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN YOU CAME BACK HOME AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SO COOL.

YOU ANNOUNCED YOUR DECISION TO GO TO SOUTH CAROLINA BACK HERE IN THE TERRITORY .

YOU BROUGHT YOUR TEAM FROM WORCESTER ACADEMY.

YOU HAD A GREAT GAME AND YOU MADE THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.

I REMEMBER WATCHING.

I NEVER CALL SPORTS IN MY LIFE.

I REMEMBER SEEING PEOPLE FROM ALASKA AND I WAS LIKE OH MY GOODNESS, PEOPLE ARE TUNED IN FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO HEAR WHERE YOU WERE GOING TO COLLEGE.

LET´S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE AND WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO FINALLY COME TO THE TERRITORY FOR YOUR TEAMMATES?

>> IT WAS REALLY SPECIAL TO PLAY DOWN HERE, COMPETE AND SHARE THAT MOMENT.

I THINK IT WAS REALLY SPECIAL.

IT ALSO MADE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT ME BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THAT EXPERIENCE.

IT WAS REALLY NICE.

I AM REALLY GLAD THAT I DID IT.

>> I REMEMBER I HAD A PERSEUS INTERVIEW YOU.

THE FIRST THING THAT I DID WAS I CALLED YOUR DAD AND I WAS LIKE SHE IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE.

I COULD ALMOST SEE IT.

YOU HAVE IN YOUR DAUGHTER THE COMPLETE PACKAGE.

SHE IS A STAR.

THERE IS NO QUESTION.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE IMPACT AND MADE THE HISTORY AND LIKE I SAID, WE ARE GETTING TO WITNESS IT ALL, WHICH IS SO COOL, DOES IT EVER STOP YOU ?

ARE YOU EVER IN ALL?

WITH PEOPLE TELLING YOU HOW AMAZING YOU ARE AND HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO US, HOW DO YOU HANDLE ALL THAT?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY THAT YOU HAVE TO COMPARTMENTALIZE AND PRIORITIZE.

IT IS DEFINITELY AN EXPERIENCE THAT I WOULD NEVER WANT TO GO AWAY.

BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND EACH MOMENT, I THINK SOMETIMES THERE ARE MOMENTS WHERE I´M OVERWHELMED.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL AND NOT EVERYONE CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SUCH AN IMPACT.

IT IS DEFINITELY A DOUBLE EDGE SWORD.

BUT I THINK I´M LEARNING MORE MORE EACH DAY.

MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES ON HOW TO CONTINUE TO HANDLE ALL OF THAT.

>> IT CAN BE ALIVE.

WHEN YOU ARE AT HOME EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU.

YOU HAVE EVERYONE FROM LITTLE KIDS TO ADULTS.

THE MAC KUDOS TO YOUR MOM AND YOUR DAD.

>> THAT IS PART OF WHAT MAKES YOU SO AWESOME.

THAT IS WHAT I SAW IN YOU, YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR, BEAUTY, INTELLIGENCE, JUST THE COMPLETE PACKAGE.

WE KNOW YOU ARE GRADUATING WITH YOUR COMMUNICATIONS DEGREE AND YOU HAVE ALREADY STARTED YOUR BROADCASTING CAREER.

HOW DID THAT ALL COMING TO FRUITION?´S >> IT WAS DEFINITELY SOMETHING I WAS EXCITED ABOUT IN COLLEGE.

I KNEW THAT I WANTED TO GET INTO BROADCASTING.

I HAVE AN AMAZING AGENCY WHO WORKED SO TIRELESSLY TO MAKE SURE I´M ABLE TO DO STUFF THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO.

WHEN I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT GETTING INTO BROADCAST THEY WERE ON IT RIGHT AWAY.

THEY KNEW THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY BEING OUT OF SUCH A TOP UNIVERSITY AND HAVING THAT EXPERIENCE AS A PLAYER TO TRAIN BEHIND THE DESK.

IT WAS REALLY EXCITING.

IT IS THE MOMENT IS LIKE WHOA, I FEEL COMFORTABLE.

I KNOW THAT I CAN DO THIS AND I AM GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE.

WHENEVER THE BALL STOPS BOUNCING THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO REALLY STICK WITH IT.

>> PEOPLE MIGHT SEE THE SUCCESSES, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS ADVERSITY.

YOUR FAITH HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT .

I THINK ANYBODY THAT HAVE FOLLOWED YOU, IT´S NOT JUST LIKE SOME ATHLETES ALIKE I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, FOR YOU IS GENUINE AND IN EVERYTHING YOU DO.

HOW DOES YOUR FAITH HELP YOU HANDLE ADVERSITY?

TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT IN TIME DURING YOUR CAREER OR EVEN WHILE IN COLLEGE WHERE YOU ARE LIKE YOU MAY HAVE DOUBTED, BUT HOW DID YOU COPE WITH IT AND HOW DID YOUR FAITH HELP?

IF MY FATE HAS CONTINUED TO GROW.

MOST IMPORTANTLY IT HAS GROWN A LOT FOR MY COLLEGE YEARS.

THAT IS WHERE I WAS ABLE TO REALLY FINE MY FOOTING AND MY UNDERSTANDING OF GOD´S WILL AND HIS PROMISES.

THERE HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN HARD TIMES.

I THINK OFF THE COURT OF HASSAN PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY CLOSE TO ME PASS AWAY AND THAT REALLY TOOK A TOLL ON ME RATHER I WAS ABLE TO SHOW IT OR NOT.

IT´S ALWAYS HARD WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEONE.

I THINK ON THE COURT MY HEART´S EXPERIENCE WOULD BE THE FINAL FOR MY SOPHOMORE YEAR WHERE I MISSED THE SHOT.

I THINK THAT WAS A COMPLETE AND DIFFERENT MIND-SET FOR ME UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

SOMETIMES IT IS STILL HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND.

I THINK THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF GOD AND LEARNING HIS WORDS AND HIS PROMISES.

HE DOESN´T EXPECT YOU TO BE PERFECT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

HE´S GOING TO PUT YOU THROUGH DIFFERENT STUFF TO CONTINUE TO TEST BEING ABLE TO COME BACK THE NEXT YEAR AND WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

MY FAITH CONTINUES TO BE SOMETHING THAT I AM ABLE TO BE STEAD FAST IN.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO NOT WANT TO THANK GOD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SEE THE GREAT THINGS THAT HE CONTINUES TO DO FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

IS SOMETHING THAT I´VE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GROW STRONG IN AND I´M GLAD THAT I´VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND MY WAY WITH THAT.

>> THIS HAS BEEN LIKE A FAIRYTALE.

FROM THE MOMENT THAT I MET YOU I WAS LIKE SHE´S GOING TO BE AMAZING.

I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE COMING INTO YOUR LIFE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY IN COLLEGE TO PLAY HERE IN THE TOURNAMENT AND I WAS LIKE WHAT ARE THE CHANCES WE HAVE A KNOW WHAT TEAM SHE GETS TO COME HOME.

WHAT IS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE?

>> IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THE FIRST GAME.

>> I WAS THERE.

I ALMOST GOT THROWN OUT.

>> THEY PROBABLY SHOULD´VE THROWN ME OUT.

JUST BECAUSE GROWING UP I CAME AND I WATCHED GAMES.

JUST ALWAYS ENGAGED.

TO ME TO COME BACK IT WAS DEFINITELY A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT.

WE ENDED UP WINNING THE WHOLE THING.

EVERYBODY WAS MAD.

WE WERE HAPPY.

IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I THINK IT JUST ALLOWED THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED.

NOW PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO SEE.

>> THAT WAS A MOMENT OF IMMENSE PRIDE FOR ALL OF US.

ABOUT YOUR OFF THE COURT ENDEAVORS.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT FOCUSED ON BASKETBALL?

OUTSIDE OF THE BROADCASTING CAREER I KNOW THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR YOU.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WANT TO PURSUE?

>> THINGS I LIKE WHEN I´M NOT PLAYING BASKETBALL IS SIT AT HOME IN MY BED AND TURN ON A NETFLIX SHOW.

THAT RIGHT THERE WILL TOP EVERY OTHER ACTIVITY.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I´LL GET MY NAILS DONE.

BUT GETTING YOUR NAILS DONE IS NOT ENJOYABLE.

YOU ARE SITTING THERE FOR TWO HOURS AND YOU CAN´T USE YOUR PHONE.

AND THEN AFTER BROADCASTING I DON´T KNOW YET.

I FEEL LIKE I AM NOW GETTING INTO THAT SPACE OF I HAVE FREE TIME.

I DO LIKE TO TRAVEL AND I BEEN ABLE TO RACK UP A LOT OF MILES RECENTLY.

BUT I THINK I´M STILL IN THE PROCESS OF FIGURING OUT WHAT I LIKE TO DO.

BASICALLY BACKGROUND TRAINING HAS REALLY CONSUMED MY TIME.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO BE REPRESENTING THE UNITED STATES IN PARIS.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

HOPEFULLY WE ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT.

THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A BLESSING.

>> JUST KNOW IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

ARE YOU COMING?

>> MY HUSBAND IS FROM FRANCE.

>> DOES THAT MEAN YOU´RE COMING?

>> YOU´RE NOT COMING?

>> I MIGHT HAVE TO SIT THIS ONE OUT.

YOU ARE PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON ME.

THIS IS THE EXPERT BROADCASTER TURNING THE TABLES.

I LOVE IT ALL.

ONE LAST THING, YOUR PARENTS, THEY ARE GOOD FRIENDS OF MINE.

PEOPLE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE SACRIFICE, BUT HEARING ABOUT THE SACRIFICE SOMETIMES, I DON´T WANT TO SAY IT BECOMES CLICHE, BUT PEOPLE SOMETIMES DON´T REALIZE YOU HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE SOMEBODY LIKE YOU.

YOUR PARENTS HAVE REALLY AMPLIFY THAT.

FOR THE YOUNG VIRGIN ISLANDER THAT MAY BE WATCHING THE SHOW WITH THEIR PARENTS, WHAT ARE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR WORDS OF INSTRUCTION THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO THEM?

>> WITH KIDS I DEFINITELY SAY TRUST GOD.

HE HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.

DON´T COMPETE, DON´T COMPARE, SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOUR GOALS, AND JUST CONTINUE TO WORK.

I THINK THAT IS THE BIGGEST PART.

HAVING CONFIDENCE AND CONTINUING TO PUT IN THE WORK.

MY PARENTS MADE A LOT OF SACRIFICES.

YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD.

HE IS ABLE TO OPEN DOORS.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE, I KNOW IT WAS MORE THAN JUST SENDING US TO MASSACHUSETTS.

IT WAS SACRIFICING STUFF THAT THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAD WHAT WE NEEDED.

THAT WE WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL WITH THE TEAM.

THEY LET US ON THEIR CREDIT CARDS AND PAY THE BILL.

I WAS STOPPING AT CHICK-FIL-A LIKE NO OTHER.

BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT I DO NOW?

I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT NOW.

PARENTS, KEEP THE KIDS ON THE CREDIT CARD BILL.

IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR US.

CONTINUE TO INVEST IN YOUR KIDS AND DON´T LOOK AT WHAT COULD BE HARD IN THE MOMENT.

THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE AND THE DOOR THE COULD BE OPEN.

>> WHEN YOU COME BACK HOME WHAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU LIKE TO EAT?

YOU JUST CAME BACK HOME, WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS?

>> PROBABLY A JOHNNY CAKE I AM A BIT CURRY CHICKEN GIRL.

SIGN ME UP.

BUT MY GRANDMA, SHE MADE SOME CHICKEN SOUP THE OTHER DAY.

JUST KNOW I HAD A BOWL AND A HALF AND I AM NOT MAD ABOUT IT.

IF I GOT YOU SOMETHING SPECIAL BECAUSE I KNOW YOU LIKE THOSE TROPICAL CHICKEN WINGS.

>> NO YOU DON´T.

IF YES , I DO.

>> I DIDN´T WANT TO SAY THAT AND FOUND GREEDY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OUR TIME IS UP.

THIS WAS AWESOME.

FOLKS, STAY TUNED.

OF NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM THIS WEEK´S POWER PANEL, BUT FIRST A QUICK LOOK AT THE TOPIC THAT WILL FUEL OUR DISCUSSION.

>> WE ARE COMING FULL CIRCLE AND CLOSING OUT THE LAST IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS TO HEAR FROM OUR TAXICAB OPERATORS IN THE TERRITORY ABOUT THEIR NEEDS.

>> THREE TAXICAB OPERATORS SPOKE AT A SPARSELY ATTENDED TOWN HALL MEETING AIMED AT ADDRESSING CONCERNS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF DISTURBANCES IN THE INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY WITH THESE GUYS CALLING THEMSELVES UBER.

WE ARE HAVING A BIG PROBLEM WITH THESE GUYS DRIVING TAXIS UP AND DOWN THE ROW.

THEY ARE CUTTING IN FRONT OF US AND PICKING UP PEOPLE AND THEN CURSE US WHEN WE TALK TO THEM ABOUT A LEGAL TAXI DRIVING.

THEY HAVE NO POLICE OFFICERS SO THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY LIKE.

IF THE TAXI COMMISSION OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, STATING DESPITE HER EFFORTS SHE HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ASSISTANCE FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE MECCA HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR BY PHONE AND HAVE IT PERSONALLY MET WITH A COMMISSIONER FOR A SITDOWN TO SEE HOW WE CAN GET SOME ASSISTANCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE ST. CROIX DISTRICT, KNOWING THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY TAXI ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON THAT ISLAND.

I REACHED OUT AGAIN IN FEBRUARY AND TO DATE I AM STILL AWAITING.

>> EDWIN STEVENS NOTICED THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LICENSE TAXES ON THE BIG ISLAND.

>> WE DO HAVE A SHORTAGE OF TAXES HERE.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS IS THE ISSUE WITH THE CORONAVIRUS WIPED OUT A LOT OF OUR DRIVERS AND ALSO A LOT OF DRIVERS DID RETIRE.

WITH THE GOVERNMENT NOT ISSUING THE TAXI EXAMINATION IT ALSO PUT A DAMPER ON TAXES AROUND HERE.

WE ARE VERY SHORT WITH THOSE TAXES.

THAT IS WHY IT IS TAKING SO LONG FOR THOSE PASSENGERS THAT WE CALL ROAD RUNNERS TO GET TO AND FROM WORK.

>> IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR´S DELAY HE SAYS THE TAXICAB COMMISSION BOARD, THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE COLLABORATING TO FINALIZE THE DETAILS FOR RESUMING TAXI CLASSES.

>> ONE MAJOR DELAY THAT I DO BELIEVE IS ATTRIBUTED TO NOT HAVING RULES AND REGULATIONS IN PLACE SO THAT THOSE PERSONS ATTENDING THESE CLASSES ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE INDUSTRY, AND THAT THEY MUST ABIDE BY TO AVOID ANY ENFORCEMENT.

>> TAXI OPERATOR PAUL ROBERTS SAID THE LOCAL INDUSTRY IS IN A DIRE STATE WORSENED BY A LACK OF SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO ENTER THEIR PROFESSION.

IF THIS IS THE WORST THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IT.

IT IS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE ARE NOT GIVING THEM THE CHOICE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO THE INDUSTRY.

THAT IS WHY WE SEE THE PROBLEM.

UBER WILL NEVER SOLVE THE PROBLEM .

WE NEED TO HELP THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET IN THE SYSTEM, TO LEARN THE SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS INDUSTRY.

>> THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ETHICAL CONDUCT IS INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED SEXUAL HARASSMENT INCIDENT THAT REPORTEDLY TOOK PLACE RIGHT BEFORE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAME TO ORDER LAST NOVEMBER.

>> DURING THAT TIME BEFORE THE GAVEL WAS DROPPED MR. JOHNSON APPROACHED ME.

I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FRIENDLY HANDSHAKE AND HE PROCEEDED TO TELL ME ABOUT THE ISSUES HE HAD.

I SAID I HEAR YOU, AND YOU RELEASE MY HAND, I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.

HE CONTINUED TO SQUEEZE FOR THE DOWN ON MY HAND.

I TOLD HIM THAT I NEEDED TO GO TO THE RESTROOM.

HE WOULD IT LOOSE MY HAND.

THEN HE SAID WHATEVER I CAN DO IN THE BATHROOM I CAN DO RIGHT HERE ON THE FLOOR WE ARE ALL GROWN PEOPLE.

HE CALLED OUT AND DROPPED MY HAND.

>> JOSEPH TOOK ACTION FOLLOWING THE ALLEGED INCIDENT, FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE OFFICE OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT NOBLE FRANCIS JUNIOR.

>> I FILED A COMPLAINT FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT AS WELL AS ASSAULT AND BATTERY.

I ASKED THE SENATOR, FRANKIE JONATHAN.

HE APOLOGIZED PUBLICLY.

>> JOSEPH ALLEGED THIS WAS NOT HER FIRST RUN IN WITH JONATHAN.

>> THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2021, I BELIEVE.

WHAT HE SAID TO ME WAS VERBALLY ABUSIVE.

SENATOR FRANCIS HAD A DISCUSSION AND HE APOLOGIZED.

I´M THINKING EVERYTHING IS OKAY AND NOW IT IS NO LONGER VERBAL, IT IS PHYSICAL.

>> WHEN CONTACTED BY WTJX JONATHAN REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ALLEGATIONS.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY SHE MADE AN ALLEGATION THAT I REVIEWED AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AT THIS POINT.

THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON AND I PREFER TO .

THEY ASKED ME TO WRITE A REPORT.

I WROTE A REPORT REGARDING WHAT SHE SAID.

IT WAS A HANDSHAKE.

I THINK SHE STRETCHED IT OUT TO WHAT SHE WANTS.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT CONFIRMED RECEIPT OF JOSEPH´S COMPLAINT.

JOHNSON´S RESPONSE IS THAT THE MATTER WAS FORWARDED TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR REVIEW.

THE ETHICS COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY SENATOR DIANNE CAPEHART AND THAT HE WOULD RELEASE THE FULL COMMITTEE MAKEUP AT A LATER TIME.

>> ONCE THE REPORT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO ME I WILL SUBMIT IT TO THE PUBLIC.

A FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE TO ALL THE SENATORS.

>> DON´T GO ON SOMEONE ELSE´S WORD.

IT IS CALLED DUE PROCESS AND JUSTICE.

THEREFORE, COLLEAGUES, I AM ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO MAC.

>>´S COLLEAGUES VOTED NO MAC INSTEAD.

THEY WANTED TO EXPEL HIM ON JULY 20, 2022 FOR VIOLATION OF THE ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY IN CONNECTION TO CLAIMS MADE BY ONE OF HIS STAFFERS.

HE THEN FILED A LAWSUIT CONTENDING THAT LAWMAKERS MAY DISCIPLINE BUT NOT EXPEL A MEMBER.

IN DOING SO THEY DISENFRANCHISE THE VOTERS WHO ELECTED HIM.

INITIALLY FILED IN THE SUPERIOR COURT´S CIVIL LAWSUIT HAS SINCE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE SUPREME COURT, WHICH HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES ON MARCH 12.

THE MAIN POINT OF CONTENTION WAS WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO EXPEL THE SENATOR.

THE LEGISLATURE´S ATTORNEY ARGUED THAT THE POWER OF EXPULSION IS AN INHERENT POWER OF THE LEGISLATURE.

PAYNE´S ATTORNEY ARGUED THAT THE BODIES EXPULSION WENT BEYOND ITS POWER AND SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE RECALL.

THE CASE WITH HER BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE AND ASSOCIATE JUSTICES.

>>> MEANWHILE, THE LEGISLATIVE STAFFER WHO MADE THE CLAIM THAT LED TO EXPULSION HAS FILED A CIVIL LAWSUIT IN SUPERIOR COURT THAT ACCUSES PAIN OF ASSAULT AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT AND ACCUSE THE ENTIRE LAWMAKING BODY OF BREACHING CONFIDENTIALITY POLICIES BY ALLEGEDLY MISHANDLING HER COMPLAINTS.

IN HER LAWSUIT SHE BEGAN WORKING FOR PAIN IN 2021 AND ALLEGES A SERIES OF INCIDENTS.

AMONG THE SHE CLAIMS FOLLOWING A SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE COURT TRAFFIC LOCKS ARE IN HIS HOTEL ROOM WHILE BRANDISHING A FIREARM.

ADDITIONALLY SHE ACCUSES PAYNE OF DEFAMATION FOR PUBLICLY CALLING HER A LIAR AND ALLEGES A PATTERN OF DELIBERATE, THREATENING AND WRONGFUL ACTIONS AIMED AT INTIMIDATING HER INTO SUBMITTING TO HIS SEXUAL ADVANCES.

THE LAWSUIT TARGETS NOT ONLY THE 34th LEGISLATURE IN ITS ENTIRETY, BUT ALSO THE SENATE PRESIDENT DONNA GREGORY AND MARISOL CASTOR WHO SERVED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DURING THE 34th LEGISLATURE.

THE LAWSUIT ASSERTS CLAIMS OF VIOLATION OF PRIVACY AS WELL AS INTENTIONAL AND NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.

I AM NOW JOINED BY ATTORNEY KEE WALKER FOUNDER AND MANAGING ATTORNEY AT THE WALKER LEGAL GROUP.

WELCOME.

AND JOINING US FROM OUR ST. CROIX STUDIO IS THE FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT AND CURRENTLY THE HOST OF THE BEST TALK SHOW IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ON WTJX 93.1 FM.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

NOW, YOU GUYS JUST HEARD THE INTERVIEW THAT WE HAD WITH ALIYAH BOSTON.

TELL ME OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND AS A FEMALE VIRGIN ISLANDER WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

I GET VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT YOUNG WOMAN.

SHE IS AMAZING.

>> I LOVE TO SEE YOUNG BLACK WOMEN WHO EXUDE CONFIDENCE.

THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE THAT ALIYAH BOSTON HAS, YOU CAN TELL SHE´S HAD FROM THE TIME SHE WAS BORN.

I THINK IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE INTERVIEW.

IT WAS A LOT OF BANTER AND A LOT OF FUN TO LISTEN TO.

>> I LOVE THE LIGHT SPIRIT.

IT IS SO NATURAL FOR HER.

IT COMES WITH SUCH EASE.

NEVILLE, YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN.

I KNOW YOU ARE A BIG SPORTS FAN.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT WHAT SHE´S DONE THUS FAR AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IS AHEAD FOR HER IN THE FUTURE?

>> FIRST OF ALL I LIKE TO CONGRATULATE HER.

LUCKY YOU TO DO THAT INTERVIEW.

I´M NOT SURPRISED.

FROM WHEN I FIRST FOUND OUT SHOWED NOTHING BUT CLASS.

SHE HAS A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM BEHIND HER.

SHE IS VERY COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF A MICROPHONE AND ON TV.

I THINK THAT FACILITATES WHY SHE IS BEING RECEIVED SO WELL.

HOPEFULLY THEY GET THE NUMBER ONE PICK THIS YEAR.

I AM HEARING THAT IT IS ALREADY SPECULATION THAT A YOUNG LADY FROM IOWA, THE FEMALE VERSION OF STEPH CURRY COULD BE JOINING HER TEAM AND IF THAT IS THE CASE I EXPECT TO SEE THEM HAVE MAJOR IMPROVEMENT.

THAT WILL ONLY MAKE THE GAME EASIER FOR AALIYAH.

>> YOU KNOW, GETTING BACK TO THE SPORT SIDE OF IT AND WHAT SHE´S DOING IN THE WNBA, HER TEAM HAD AN UNDEFEATED SEASON AND THEN THEY WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

I THINK IN THE COURSE OF HER COLLEGE CAREER SHE ONLY LOST MAYBE SIX OR SEVEN GAMES IN FOUR YEARS, WHICH IS UNBELIEVABLE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA RIGHT NOW IS ON A 101- 3 RECORD.

IN THREE SEASONS SHE´S ONLY LOST THREE GAMES.

SHE´S HAD NOTHING BUT SUCCESS.

LET ME ASK YOU, FOR YOUNG VIRGIN ISLANDS MIGHT BE PLAYING SPORTS RIGHT NOW WHAT KIND OF INSPIRATION DO YOU THINK THAT IS FOR THEM?

IF I THINK IT´S HUGE.

THE WAY THAT WE HAVE SUPPORTED HER AND RECEIVED HER, HER PERSONALITY AND THE WAY SHE GETS BACK.

SHE COMES BACK HOME AND SHE HAS ACCOUNT WITH THE YOUNG GIRLS.

I THINK THAT WILL ENCOURAGE THOSE BEHIND HER TO AT LEAST TRY TO FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS.

I THINK SHE´S A GREAT ROLE MODEL.

>>, BEFORE WE SEE ANOTHER YOUNG VIRGIN ISLANDER?

>> YOU NEVER KNOW.

SOMETIME SOON.

THE ONE THING I LIKE ABOUT WHAT AALIYAH HAS DONE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA IS SHE WENT INTO A SYSTEM, A VERY GOOD SYSTEM AND NOW IT IS A DOMINANT SYSTEM.

THIS YEAR THE TEAM HAS YET TO LOSE A GAME, WHICH MEANS SHE CARRIED ON THE CULTURE THAT SHE INHERITED AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

ALIYAH BOSTON´S NAME WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE RANKS OF GREATNESS FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND WOMEN´S BASKETBALL.

SHE IS A PROFESSIONAL.

I HEARD THE CONVERSATION EARLIER, LOOKING TO GET A GOLD MEDAL THIS YEAR FOR TEAM USA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LET´S GO INTO SOME OF OUR NEWS TOPIC STARTED WITH THE RECENT TAXI TOWN HALL.

IN THE CLIP WE PLAYED TWO OF THEM TALKED ABOUT COMPETITION FROM UBER.

UBER OF ST. CROIX WE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH THE OWNER AND HERE IS WHAT HE SAID.

>> WE CREATED THIS ENTITY FOR PEOPLE ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO DRIVE AROUND AND MAKE EXTRA MONEY.

I AM NOT A TAXI.

99% OF MY RISER PREARRANGED.

I DON´T FLAG FRIES DOWN ON THE ROAD.

I CURRENTLY HAVE A VEHICLES RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE ROAD.

24 HOURS A DAY I HAVE SOMEONE AVAILABLE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DO ON YOUR SHOW ALL THE TIME IS POINT OUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOW WE SAY THINGS ON THE DIFFERENT ISLANDS.

AFTER YOU HURT WITH THE GENTLEMAN JUST SAID WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT A RIDE- SHARE SERVICE AND HOW IT IS IMPACTING THE TAXI DRIVERS ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX?

IF YOU KNOW, I LOOK AT IT FOR MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES.

I REALLY FEEL FOR THE TAXI DRIVERS FROM THEIR STANDPOINT.

WE ARE IN THE THROES OF AN TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT.

THINGS ARE HAPPENING BY THE HOUR.

UBER, LYFT, WHATEVER RISE SERVICE FOLKS CHOOSE TO USE, THEY ARE COMPLETELY MODERN DAY COMPARED TO TAXI SERVICE THAT WE HAVE NO OVER THE YEARS.

I BELIEVE THE TAXI DRIVERS NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO INCORPORATE THEIR ABILITY FOR FOLKS WHO WANT TO TRAVEL AND TO USE TAXIS TO BE UBER -LIKE.

IT´S HARD FOR THEM TO COMPETE.

EVERYBODY DOES EVERYTHING WITH THEIR CELL PHONES.

TAXES ARE A RETAIL BUSINESS.

I COME OFF THE PLANE, I GET MY BAGS.

I´M LOOKING FOR A TAXI.

IF I HAVE NOT LOOKED FOR A TAXI I HAVE ALREADY HOOKED UP MYSELF WITH SOME TYPE OF SERVICE.

THIS THING UBER, REALLY IT´S KIND OF INSULTING.

BASICALLY YOU ARE USING WHAT IS AN ESTABLISHED GLOBAL NAME AND MODIFYING IT.

YOU ARE BEING CREATIVE, BUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT YOU ARE RUBBING IT IN THE TAXI DRIVERS FACE.

I HOPE THEY CAN WORK OUT SOMETHING.

I´M HOPING THE TAXI DRIVERS AND THE ASSOCIATIONS ACCEPT THE REALITY OF WHERE WE ARE IN OUR EXISTENCE, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO COME TO THE GAME.

IT´S NOT THE RETAIL BUSINESS WE HAVE KNOWN IT TO BE PRIOR TO THE EXISTENCE OF UBER, LYFT AND THESE OTHER ENTITIES.

>> FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE UBER, THE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY HAVE A TREMENDOUS LEGAL WRECKER.

THEY HAVE TAKEN ON TAXI DRIVERS AND EVERY TIME THEY GO TO COURT THEY WIN.

IN TERMS OF THE LEGAL PERSPECTIVE I DON´T SEE TAXI DRIVER STANDING IN SIGNIFICANCE ANYONE THAT DEVELOPS A RIDE- SHARE PROGRAM IN THE TERRITORY.

LET´S TALK TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION AND THE LEGALITY AND WHETHER OR NOT IT IN THE STATES.

>> LEGALLY I AM HERE FOR IT.

YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TO ACCOMMODATE THE TIMES.

TO TAKE SUCH A CARBON POSITION TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE WERE DOING 30 YEARS AGO AND EVERYONE HAS TO ACCEPT IT AND ALL OF THE INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY NEEDS TO STAY OUT OF IT IS A COMPLETELY NONPRODUCTIVE POSITION TO TAKE.

LEGALLY THE TAXI DRIVE -- DRIVERS ARE GOING TO HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME.

THEY DON´T NECESSARILY HAVE THE RESOURCES FOR THE FIGHT THAT IS BEGINNING TO DEVELOP.

YOU ALSO HAVE BUSINESSES THAT ARE PROPERLY LICENSED BY BOOMERANG EATS AND SERVICES THAT DELIVER MEALS.

IT WILL BE VERY EASY FOR ANY OF THOSE LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SWITCH OVER TO THE RIDE-SHARE FIELD.

THEY ARE WAITING FOR IT.

THEY ARE MONITORING IT.

OPPORTUNITY THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE FOR THE TAXI DRIVERS AND I SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM.

EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY HAS TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES.

WHAT MAKES THIS INDUSTRY SO SPECIAL?

YOU NEED TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR CUSTOMERS AND CLIMB --CLIENTS.

>> THERE IS AN OLD ADAGE IF YOU CAN´T BEAT THEM, JOIN THEM.

I THINK TAXI DRIVERS NEED TO LOOK AT INVESTING IN THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS WHERE THEY CAN INVEST IN THE TECHNOLOGY.

REALLY AND TRULY IT IS ONLY THE GIS PROJECT COMPLETION HOLDING BACK THESE TYPES OF SERVICES FROM EXCELLING.

ONCE THE PROGRAM IS DONE IN THE TERRITORY, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION, IT IS OVER.

>> YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

I WAS THINKING BACK, YOU HAVE TO ADVANCE WITH THE TIMES.

I SPENT A LITTLE OVER A DECADE IN THE POLITICAL ARENA.

REPEAL POLITICS WAS COOL.

I GOT INTO THE ARENA IN 2004 AND BY 2008 IT CHANGED THE WHOLE DYNAMIC.

IF YOU ARE NOT CAMPAIGNING ONLINE OR IF YOU WERE ONLINE TOUCHING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, REALLY QUICKLY, THEN YOU WERE PLAYING FROM A DEFICIT POSITION.

WE NEED TO TAXI DRIVERS.

I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN IN PERSON RELATIONSHIP.

SOME FOLKS LIKE THE OLD- FASHIONED WAY, BUT IN 2024 GOING FORWARD THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY DO BUSINESS.

THEY HAVE TO ADAPT TO THE REALITY THAT TECHNOLOGY IS A GAME THAT IS GOING TO BE HERE FOREVER AND THEY HAVE TO GET INVOLVED.

I AGREE WITH YOU 100%.

>> MY DAD´S 89 YEARS OLD AND AN iPHONE USER.

IF HE CAN DO IT, ANYBODY CAN DO IT.

LET´S MOVE ON, THE PAYNE LAWSUIT IS REALLY A TOPIC THAT HAS DRAGGED ON.

FINALLY THE CASE WITH HER BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

I HAVE MY OPINIONS.

BUT FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE HAVING HEARD THE CLIP THAT WE PLAYED AND KNOWING THE HISTORY BEHIND IT, WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE TWO ARGUMENTS?

IF I STAND WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU HAVE THE SEPARATION OF POWERS.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO DISCIPLINE, TO EXPEL THEIR MEMBERS.

EVERY NOW AND THEN THIS ISSUE COMES UP.

THE LAST TIME MAY HAVE BEEN THE LAWSUIT WHERE THE LEGISLATURE PREVAILED.

IT IS A SEPARATE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

INTO THE PERSONNEL AFFAIRS OF THE JUDICIARY.

IT CAN´T .

I THINK FUNDAMENTALLY THE SEPARATION OF POWERS ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD PREVAIL.

IF YOU´VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE SHOW AND AS A FORMER LEGISLATOR YOU HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR ON WHERE THE LAW STANDS.

NOW THAT THE ARGUMENTS HAVE BEEN HURT AND WE HAVE MEDIA COVERAGE I THINK JUSTICE ARLINGTON SWAN USED THE TERMS IN TERMS OF THE DEFENSE´S ARGUMENT AS BEING OBLIVIOUS.

I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS QUITE SHARP, BUT IT GOES INTO THE PERSONALITY OF THE JUDGE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

WERE YOU EXPECTING THAT KIND OF REACTION FROM ANY OF THE JUDGES?

>> YES.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SAY THINGS THAT MAY NOT BE POLITICALLY CORRECT, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR POINT.

DEALING WITH.

I TALKED ABOUT IT.

I AM A HISTORY MAJOR .

I LIKE TO USE HISTORY AND FACTS AS A FOUNDATION FOR THE POSITION I AM TAKING.

THE NOTION THAT A LEGISLATIVE BODY, AN ENTITY LIKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATION WHICH IN 1989, I GO OVER THIS EVERY SINGLE TIME, THEY EXPELLED A MEMBER FOR VOTING IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS.

I WAS NOT A PART OF THAT LEGISLATURE.

I WAS STILL WET BEHIND THE EARS POLITICALLY.

IN 2017 SOME 38 YEARS LATER OR 28 YEARS LATER, WHATEVER IT IS, WE HAD A SITUATION THAT WAS ABOUT AN ADMISSION.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS KEVIN RODRIGUEZ HAD WON A SEAT IN THE 2016 RACES.

LAWSUITS WERE FILED QUESTIONING HIS JURISDICTIONAL CAPABILITIES BECAUSE HE HAD FILE FOR NECROPSY IN TENNESSEE.

THE POWER TRANSFERRED FROM THE ELECTION SYSTEM TO THE COURTS.

ONCE WE CONVENED AT THAT TIME WE ULTIMATELY VOTED TO NOT ADMIT HIM.

WE HAVE THAT POWER.

WE ARE VESTED WITH THAT POWER.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE ABILITY TO SANCTION ITS OWN MEMBERS.

SOME TIME IT IS SUSPENSION AND SOMETIMES EXPULSION.

IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT.

TAKES ON A WHOLE DIFFERENT COMPLEXITY.

SHE ALLEGES THE LEGISLATURE MISHANDLED HER COMPLAINT.

WHAT IS THAT PROCESS LIKE HAVING WORKED AS A COUNSEL TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE WHEN AN EMPLOYEE BRINGS A LAWSUIT OF THIS NATURE AND THEN IT HAS TO GO BEFORE THE ETHICS COMMITTEE.

WHAT IS THAT PROCESS LIKE IN TERMS OF THE LOGISTICS?

HOW DOES IT PLAY OUT?

>> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING IT GOES THROUGH THE COURTS AND IT IS LITIGATED LIKE ANY OTHER EMPLOYMENT CASE.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN SUED IN AN EMPLOYMENT MATTER.

I THINK THAT IT WILL PLAY OUT LIKE ANY OTHER LITIGATION AND 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 THERE WILL BE A SETTLEMENT.

>> WHEN THERE IS A SETTLEMENT THAT MEANS THE TAXPAYERS END UP PAYING BY DEFAULT.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS LEGAL EXPENSE.

>> SETTLEMENT IS GOOD, IT PROBABLY SAVES MONEY.

IT SAVES THE RISK OF A HIGH JUDGMENT.

IT PLAYS OUT LIKE ANY OTHER LAWSUIT.

I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT.

>> THIS LAWSUIT, AGAINST THE LEGISLATION, AND THIS ISN´T THE FIRST TIME ATTORNEY WALKER HAS MENTIONED THAT THE LEGISLATURE FINDS HIMSELF WITH THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT --WELL, NOT AN EMPLOYMENT MATTER BUT A SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT.

WHAT STEPS CAN BE BODY TAKE TO PREVENT US FROM REVISITING MATTERS THIS IN THE FUTURE.

>> WE´VE HAD THIS SITUATION BEFORE.

THIS IS A MATTER FOR THE COURTS.

THE LEGISLATURE WOULD WANT TO CONSIDER SETTLING SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE COMES A POINT WHERE YOU HAVE TO START FACTORING THE INTERPRETATION AND THE PUBLIC VIEW.

MAYBE YOU JUST NEED TO SETTLE THIS AND GET IT BEHIND US.

I AM NOT TELLING THE LEGISLATURE WHAT TO DO, I´M SAYING THAT IS A CONSIDERATION.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

THIS IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME.

AN EMPLOYEE IS NOT ONLY SAYING THE SOONER SHE WORKED FOR VIOLATED HER PERSONALLY, SHE IS SAYING THE INSTITUTIONS LEADERSHIP ACTUALLY UNDERMINED HER AND MISHANDLED HER ALLEGATIONS AND HER CLAIM .

LIKE I SAID, AS A FORMER SENATOR I AM PARTIAL TO THE BODY.

I APOLOGIZE, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

ATTORNEY WALKER IS CORRECT.

SETTLEMENT MIGHT BE THE BEST WAY TO GO.

THIS THING SEEMS TO BE A STORY TAKING ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN EVERY TIME YOU TURN AROUND.

A QUESTION WITH THE PAYNE MATTER IS WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO BE FULLY ADJUDICATED?

NOW WE HAVE A SITUATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST PAYNE.

THAT IS IN THE COURSE AS WELL.

I´M THINKING MAYBE THEY NEED TO LOOK AT SETTLEMENT AS A PRIMARY WAY OF BRINGING THIS TO SOME TYPE OF FINALITY.

>> THE NEXT TOPIC THAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS YET ANOTHER SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATION BETWEEN SENATOR JOHNSON AND CARLA JOSEPHS.

THE PERCEPTION NOW OF THE BODY, YOU KNOW RESIDENTS LOOK BACK AND THEY SAY OKAY, WE HAVE ANOTHER LAWSUIT THAT WE POTENTIALLY HAVE TO PAY FOR .

NOW WE HAVE THIS NEXT ALLEGATION BETWEEN TWO SENATORS, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND RESPECT FOR THE BODY IS LIKE RIGHT NOW?

IN NATIONAL TVS THESE ARE THINGS THAT MEASURE APPROVAL RATINGS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THAT IS HERE NOW?

>> I DON´T THINK IT´S ANY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION.

REMEMBER THAT WASTE MANAGEMENT GOT HIT WITH THAT LAWSUIT AND A HUGE SETTLEMENT CAME OUT OF THAT.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HAPPENS IN ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION IN ANY OTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE BEING A POLITICAL BODY THAT ONLY HAS A TWO YEAR LIFESPAN, I THINK THERE IS PROBABLY MORE FOCUSED PUT ONTO IT.

AND THEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING STEPHEN PAYNE AND HIS OTHER LEGAL ISSUES, I THINK IT MAKES THIS MORE SALACIOUS TO TALK ABOUT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT THE ONLY ORGANIZATION CONFRONTED WITH LAWSUITS FROM EMPLOYEES OR CLAIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

THE CARLA JOSEPHS AND SENATOR FRANKIE JOHNSON MATTER IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT IS ONE MEMBER AGAINST THE OTHER.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THERE IS A BIT OF A DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE.

I DON´T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

THAT ONE IS DIFFICULT.

MY OPINION IS PEOPLE GET TOO COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER .

IF THAT IS VERY INTERESTING.

>> WHEN TALKING ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT, UNLESS EXTREMELY EGREGIOUS A LOT OF IT IS SUBJECTIVE.

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION.

DO NOT TOUCH ANYONE.

DO NOT MAKE THESE COMMENTS.

YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW IT IS GOING TO BE RECEIVED.

I´M NOT SAYING THAT AS AN EXCUSE FOR PASSING JUDGMENT ON SENATOR JOSEPH COMPLAINT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE JUST NEED TO STOP BEING SO COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER.

IMPORTANT POINT.

IN SOME INSTANCES SOME MAY SAY THAT´S NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT .

IS NOT EVEN LOGICALLY OR SOCIALLY CORRECT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, BUT YOU WILL HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHOM I FEEL THAT WAY.

NEVILLE, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION .

THE ETHICS COMMITTEE THAT HAS TO BE COMPOSED TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, WHAT IS THAT PROCESS LIKE?

I ALSO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE AS A SENATOR DID YOU RECEIVE SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING AT --AS SOME ORGANIZATIONS DO?

IF THE ANSWER THE LATTER QUESTION, YES.

THERE IS HUMAN RESOURCES, A DIVISION WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE WHO SAYS THAT UP FOR EVERYONE AND EVERYONE HAS TO GO THROUGH THAT.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE LEGISLATURE.

IN MY VERY FIRST TERM I REMEMBER SENATOR BOSTON WAS BIG WITH THAT.

I´M GLAD WE HAD THAT ON THE BOOKS.

TWO, I WANT TO MAKE A DISTINCTION IN RESPECT TO WHAT WE SAW WITH THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH NOW.

UNLIKE WITH THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY THE PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY OWN THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY DO.

THEY DO NOT OWN WASTE MANAGEMENT.

I MEAN THEY OWN EVERYTHING BECAUSE IT IS TAXPAYER-FUNDED, BUT THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY DETERMINE WHO WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE IS AN OWNERSHIP MENTALITY THAT EXISTS WITH RESIDENTS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO VOTE.

THAT IS WHY THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

THE LAST THING BOATERS WANT TO SEE IF THE MEMBERS THEY ARE ELECTING TO THE LEGISLATURE ARE DOING THINGS.

THEY WANT THEM TO BE PRODUCTIVE, BUT THE LAST THING THEY WANT IS TO SEE THEM DOING THINGS THAT CREATES THIS TYPE OF PERCEPTION.

YOU TOUCHED ON IT, LESLIE.

WE HAVE DYSFUNCTIONAL LEGISLATURES.

WE HAVE PRODUCTIVE LEGISLATURES.

ON THE MAINLAND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A CONGRESS THAT IS STRUGGLING.

ATTORNEY WALKER BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT.

I BELIEVE TODAY WE RAN THAT A CONGRESSMAN WAS SUBPOENAED BECAUSE HE IS DEALING WITH SOME SEX TRAFFICKING CLAIMS.

WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH ANYTHING ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE A SMALLER JURISDICTION.

EVERYONE KNOWS EACH OTHER AND IT GETS THE ETHICS COMMITTEE THAT WILL BE INVESTIGATING THIS.

>> TYPICALLY THE ETHICS COMMITTEE IS COMPOSED OF FIVE MEMBERS.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT PUTS THAT COMMITTEE TOGETHER.

LEGAL COUNSEL PLAYS A BIG PART.

THE QUESTIONS, THE PARAMETERS, IT´S REALLY ALL ABOUT RECEIVING TESTIMONY AND GETTING EVERYBODY´S PERSPECTIVE AND POINT OF VIEW.

THEN THEY BRING IT TO THE FULL BODY.

THE PRESIDENT WILL MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE FULL BODY AND AT SOME POINT THE MEMBERS AS A WHOLE WILL MAKE A DETERMINATION.

THEY CANNOT SANCTION.

THEY DO NOT HAVE SANCTION ABILITY.

>> IN LISTENING TO SENATOR JOHNSON REFUTE THE ALLEGATIONS HE MENTIONED IT AS BEING INVESTIGATED SO HE DIDN´T WANT TO COMMENT, BUT HE WAS LIKE THERE´S NO EVIDENCE.

KNOW THAT.

GIVEN THE SITUATION, IT´S JUST A HALLWAY AND YOU AND I ARE TALKING, HOW DOES THE ETHICS COMMITTEE GET THE EVIDENCE PER SE AND WHAT EVIDENCE COULD THERE BE?

YOU EXAMINE EVIDENCE ALL THE TIME.

IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS HOW DO YOU THINK THEY GO ABOUT GOING OUT WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED?

>> ARE THERE ANY SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS?

THIS SENATOR JOSEPH COME BACK AND COMPLAIN TO SOMEONE AND SAY DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN JUST DID TO ME?

THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO AND THE ETHICS COMMITTEE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST RUNNING FOR SENATOR JOHNSON NOT AS FAR AS A SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIM.

A MEMBER WHEN HE MADE THOSE COMMENTS ABOUT SENATOR GREGORY, WORDS THAT WERE QUITE STRONG.

IS THIS A PATTERN?

I THINK THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THE COMMITTEE CAN LOOK AT WITH ASSISTANCE OF LEGAL COUNSEL TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF WHETHER THIS HAPPENED.

REALLY QUICKLY, IF THE ETHICS COMMITTEE DOES FIND THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PERHAPS EXPEL SENATOR JOHNSON FROM THE LEGISLATURE WHAT IS THE PROCESS THEN?

IF THAT IS WHERE THE SENATE PRESIDENT COMES INTO PLAY.

LEGAL COUNSEL WILL LET THE PRESIDENT KNOW IF IN FACT THE ETHICS COMMITTEE CONDUCTED THE HEARING PROCESS AND THE ENTIRE PROCESS WITHIN THE RULES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS STILL GOING TO BE ABOUT THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, EVEN IF THE EVIDENCE SAYS THAT A MEMBER HAS VIOLATED ANOTHER MEMBER´S PROPERTY OR PERSON, YOU NEED EIGHT OUT OF 15 MEMBERS ON THAT PARTICULAR THING TO ACTUALLY VOTE ALONG THOSE LINES.

WE ARE SEEING THAT RIGHT NOW.

REMEMBER WE HAD THE SITUATION WHERE YOU HAD U.S.

SENATORS WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PENALIZE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THEY SAID NO.

THOSE ISSUES BELONG IN A COURT OF LAW.

NOW WE ARE FINDING OUT THAT POSITION THAT THEY TOOK MIGHT BE BACKFIRING.

IT´S A VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE ALL ARTICLES ARE FOLLOWED AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOME RESOLUTION.

THERE IS ONE THING THAT I DO WANT TO SAY.

>> REALLY QUICKLY.

>> LACK OF EVIDENCE, THERE IS A LACK OF EVIDENCE.

>> LET ME TELL YOU, WHEN I KNOW THE BOTH OF YOU ARE ON WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BOMBSHELL.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR APPEARING.

THAT´S ALL THE SHOW FOR TODAY.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN NEXT SUNDAY FOR AN ALL NEW EPISODE OF COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

IN THE MEANTIME TUNE IN ON WEEKDAYS I DOWNLOADED THE WTJX APP.

I AM LESLEY COMISSIONG.

FROM ALL OF US HERE, TAKE CARE.