AGP Executive Report

SNAP/EBT Procurement: The V.I. Department of Human Services has opened bidding for the next contractor to run the territory’s SNAP EBT system, with proposals due Nov. 23; the current Fidelity contract runs through Nov. 30, 2026, but the new RFP doesn’t guarantee a switch. Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: Environmental and community groups tied to the Marianas, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are urging CNMI Gov. David Apatang to recommend stopping the federal PACM-2 deep sea mining lease sale, citing the Oct. 19 deadline and calling for more public outreach. Tax Court Fight: Stephen Deckoff, owner of two former Epstein islands, has sued the U.S. Virgin Islands seeking a refund of more than $5.7 million for the 2021 tax year, arguing he was a bona fide resident. Health Care Fraud Watch: The U.S. Treasury says FinCEN flagged about $17.5 billion in suspicious activity potentially linked to health care fraud, signaling more enforcement focus ahead. Local Governance/Operations: The week also included broader government procurement and compliance coverage, including concerns about how procurement competition and system design can affect costs and service delivery. Regional Tourism/Development: ClubMed says it has signed new resort projects including in the U.S. Virgin Islands as it accelerates global expansion.

U.S. Virgin Islands Procurement: The V.I. Department of Human Services has opened bidding for the next contractor to run the territory’s SNAP EBT system, with proposals due Nov. 23; the current Fidelity contract runs through Nov. 30, 2026, and the new RFP signals a competitive procurement rather than an automatic renewal. Territorial Governance & Environment: Environmental and community leaders tied to the Marianas, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are urging CNMI Gov. David Apatang to formally oppose the federal deep-sea mining lease sale (PACM-2), asking for suspension/termination of the process and more public outreach before the Oct. 19 deadline. Federal Oversight & Public Safety: Treasury’s FinCEN says it has identified about $17.5 billion in suspicious activity potentially linked to health care fraud, based on thousands of Bank Secrecy Act reports—an early step toward enforcement. Court Systems & Cybersecurity: Ontario’s courts warned that a cyberattack involving Thomson Reuters’ C-Track case-management platform may have exposed confidential, redacted, or sealed records. Local/Regional Spotlight: A billionaire owner of Epstein-linked Caribbean islands has sued the U.S. Virgin Islands seeking a $5.7 million+ tax refund, arguing IRS findings on “bona fide resident” status for 2021.

USVI Procurement: The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services has launched a competitive bid for the next contractor to run the territory’s SNAP EBT system, with proposals due Nov. 23; the current Fidelity contract runs through Nov. 30, 2026. Maritime & Federal Compliance: CBP is emphasizing maritime arrival reporting rules after multiple vessels were seized in the U.S. Virgin Islands for failing to report arrivals. Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: Environmental and community leaders across the Pacific and Caribbean territories—including the U.S. Virgin Islands—are urging CNMI Gov. David Apatang to formally oppose a proposed federal deep sea mining lease sale near the Marianas. Health Care Fraud Watch: The U.S. Treasury’s FinCEN says it flagged about $17.5 billion in suspicious activity tied to health care fraud, signaling more enforcement focus ahead. Epstein Files Fallout (USVI angle): New DOJ releases and related court disputes keep attention on “Epstein Island,” including a lawsuit by the billionaire owner of the former islands seeking a $5.7M+ tax refund. Travel/Local Economy: ClubMed says it’s expanding globally and has signed new resort projects including in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Health Care Fraud Crackdown: Treasury’s FinCEN says it flagged about $17.5 billion in suspicious activity tied to health care fraud, based on thousands of Bank Secrecy Act reports—another push to target schemes that drain federal programs. Local Procurement & Food Security: The V.I. Department of Human Services opened bidding for the next SNAP EBT contractor after Fidelity’s current system contract nears its end, with proposals due Nov. 23. Maritime Enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seized multiple vessels in the U.S. Virgin Islands and issued penalties after operators failed to properly report arrivals, warning boaters to follow mandatory entry rules. Regional Environment Fight: Leaders and community groups urged CNMI Gov. David Apatang to oppose the federal deep sea mining lease sale (PACM-2), calling for a halt and more public participation. Citizenship & Territorial Politics: A new push aims to restrict birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, setting up another legal and political fight over rights for people in the Virgin Islands and other territories. Epstein Files Fallout: Fresh public debate continues after DOJ releases of millions of pages tied to Epstein’s U.S. Virgin Islands “island,” with renewed court battles and scrutiny of what’s actually in the record.

Tax Fight in the Territory: Stephen Deckoff, the billionaire owner of islands once linked to Jeffrey Epstein, has sued the U.S. Virgin Islands for a $5.7 million tax refund, arguing the IRS wrongly found he wasn’t a “bona fide resident” for the 2021 tax year. SNAP/EBT Procurement: The VI Department of Human Services is seeking a new contractor to run the territory’s SNAP EBT system, with proposals due Nov. 23 as the current Fidelity contract nears its end. Maritime Enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seized multiple vessels in the USVI and issued penalties after operators failed to properly report arrivals, warning boaters that fines can reach $10,000 and vessels may be forfeited. Consumer/Payments Rules: The DLCA reminded VI businesses that pennies remain legal tender and that shortages don’t justify refusing cash or routinely rounding up, while urging continued compliance with local payment requirements. Federal Fraud Watch: Treasury’s FinCEN says it flagged about $17.5 billion in suspicious activity tied to health care fraud, signaling more enforcement focus that could ripple into federal program oversight affecting territories.

U.S.-Territory Governance & Services: The V.I. Department of Human Services opened bidding for a new contractor to run the territory’s SNAP EBT system, with proposals due Nov. 23 as the current Fidelity contract runs through Nov. 30, 2026. Local Business & Consumer Rules: The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs reminded VI businesses that pennies remain legal tender and they can’t use coin shortages to justify refusing cash, rounding up, or eliminating required payment options. Federal Enforcement at Sea: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seized multiple vessels in the U.S. Virgin Islands and issued penalties after operators failed to properly report arrivals, warning of $5,000–$10,000 civil penalties and possible vessel forfeiture. Public Safety & Health: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled 6.3 million bottles of Mistolin/Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the USVI due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with higher risk flagged for immunocompromised travelers. Policy & Rights Watch: A new push in U.S. territories targets birthright citizenship, arguing for legal maneuvers to limit citizenship for people born in territories. Governance Beyond VI: Environmental and community leaders across the region urged Gov. David M. Apatang to oppose a deep seabed mining lease sale near the Northern Mariana Islands, calling for suspension or cancellation and more public participation.

Territorial Procurement: The V.I. Department of Human Services has opened bidding for the next SNAP EBT contractor, with proposals due Nov. 23, as the current Fidelity Information Services agreement runs through Nov. 30, 2026. Consumer & Cash Rules: The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs reminded USVI businesses that pennies remain legal tender and they can’t use penny shortages to justify rounding up, refusing cash, or removing required payment options. Border Enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seized “multiple vessels” and issued penalties in the USVI after operators failed to properly report arrivals, warning that repeat violations can mean higher fines and vessel forfeiture. Public Participation on Mining: Leaders from the Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the USVI urged Gov. David M. Apatang to formally oppose a deep seabed mining lease sale near the Northern Mariana Islands and to use territorial authority to seek suspension or cancellation. Cyber & Courts: Thomson Reuters disclosed a cybersecurity incident affecting its C-Track case management platform, including the USVI, after unauthorized access to certain court files. Local Governance & Rights: A federal court decision in Pennsylvania adds guidance on ADA accommodation requests and employers’ duties during the interactive process for remote-work-related claims. Community Spotlight: VI lawmaker Alicia Barnes is set to be the featured speaker at the Nevis Reformation Party’s national convention.

Epstein Island Files: New releases tied to the Epstein Files Transparency Act keep the U.S. Virgin Islands at the center of a renewed national debate, with court-linked reporting describing Little St. James’s layout, access limits, and guest operations—while viral “net worth” talk continues to outpace probate numbers. Remote Work & ADA: A Pennsylvania federal court weighed a professor’s remote-work accommodation request, stressing the employer’s duty to engage in the interactive process and the risk of denying accommodations through silence. Maritime Enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seized “multiple vessels” in the USVI and issued penalties after operators failed to report arrivals, warning boaters that first-time civil penalties can reach $5,000. Cash Rules in the USVI: The DLCA reminded businesses that pennies still count as legal tender and that declining one-cent coins doesn’t justify routine cash rounding, refusing cash, or removing required payment options. Territorial Citizenship Fight: Commentary highlights renewed federal efforts to restrict birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, including the USVI, as Congress and the White House look for ways around Supreme Court precedent. Local Leadership Spotlight: A USVI legislator, Alicia Barnes, is set to be the featured speaker at a Nevis Reformation Party national convention, underscoring regional political and public-service ties. Cybersecurity Watch: Thomson Reuters reported a cybersecurity incident affecting its C-Track court case management platform, including the USVI, raising concerns about court records and sensitive information.

U.S. Virgin Islands Citizenship Fight: A new push by the Trump administration and allies aims to restrict birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, arguing Congress can carve out exceptions after the Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment—an issue that directly affects residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Maritime Enforcement in the VI: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seized multiple vessels and issued penalties in the territory after operators failed to report arrivals, warning boaters that first-time violations can bring $5,000 civil penalties and possible vessel seizure. Local Consumer Protection: The Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs reiterated that pennies remain legal tender and businesses can’t use penny shortages to justify rounding up, refusing cash, or removing required payment options. Criminal Justice: A federal jury convicted St. Croix man James Lealand Johnston (“JJ Rocks”) of possessing child pornography, with sentencing exposure up to 10 years. Regional/Business Spotlight: Caribbean Media Exchange will honor Royal Caribbean government-relations executive Russell Benford at its Dec. 6 awards, with his career including deputy mayor and city management roles. Tourism/Travel: Southwest Airlines is launching its first airport lounges, including at Baltimore/Washington, where it recently began daily nonstop service to St. Thomas. Powerball: No jackpot winner Monday; Wednesday’s prize climbs to about $207 million.

Maritime Enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it seized multiple vessels in the U.S. Virgin Islands and hit operators with penalties after they failed to properly report arrivals, warning boaters that first-time civil penalties can reach $5,000 and repeat violations $10,000, with possible vessel seizure. Consumer & Local Payments: The Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs reiterated that pennies already in circulation remain legal tender and businesses can’t use penny shortages to justify rounding up, refusing cash, or removing required payment options. Public Safety & Courts: A federal jury convicted 73-year-old St. Croix man James Lealand Johnston (“JJ Rocks”) of child pornography possession, with sentencing exposure up to 10 years. Gun Rights Litigation: The DOJ filed a complaint against the territory over the June 2026 semiautomatic firearm and magazine bans and related carry/storage restrictions, arguing they conflict with the Supreme Court’s Bruen framework. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters confirmed a breach tied to its C-Track case management platform that affected court systems in multiple U.S. states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with some records potentially containing sensitive personal information. Epstein Files Echo in USVI: New Epstein-related document releases keep “Epstein Island” and “net worth” searches surging, but the latest coverage largely points back to already-documented estate values and the Little St. James trafficking record.

Local Consumer Protection: The Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs says pennies already in circulation remain legal tender, and businesses can’t use penny shortages to justify rounding up, refusing cash, or dropping required payment options. Gun Policy Clash: The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint targeting USVI’s June firearms law, including bans on modern semiautomatic guns and standard-capacity magazines, arguing the territory’s permit scheme and enforcement violate Second Amendment limits. Court System Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters disclosed a breach tied to its C-Track case management platform, with unauthorized access affecting court records in multiple states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, potentially exposing sensitive personal information. Criminal Justice: A federal jury convicted 73-year-old St. Croix man James Lealand Johnston (“JJ Rocks”) of possessing child pornography, after a case rooted in a VIPD investigation. International/Economic Links: Ghana’s Enterprises Agency signed an MoU with the USVI Economic Development Authority to deepen trade and investment cooperation. Public Health Alert: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled millions of Mistolin/Lestoil bottles sold in Puerto Rico and the USVI due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with higher risk flagged for immunocompromised travelers.

Territorial Payments: The DLCA reminded USVI businesses that pennies already in circulation remain legal tender, and retailers can’t use the one-cent coin shortage as an excuse to refuse cash, eliminate required payment options, or routinely round up transactions. Public Safety & Guns: The DOJ filed a complaint challenging USVI’s June semiautomatic firearm and magazine restrictions, arguing the territory’s enforcement approach conflicts with the Supreme Court’s Bruen framework. Courts & Privacy: Thomson Reuters confirmed a breach of its C-Track case management platform, with unauthorized access tied to court systems in multiple states, the USVI, and Canada; officials say some records may include sensitive personal data. Local Justice: A federal jury convicted 73-year-old St. Croix man James Lealand Johnston (“JJ Rocks”) of possessing child pornography, after a long-running VIPD investigation. Economy & Trade: Ghana’s Enterprises Agency signed an MoU with USVIEDA to deepen trade and investment ties. Consumer Alert: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled millions of Mistolin/Lestoil cleaner bottles sold in Puerto Rico and the USVI due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with higher risk flagged for immunocompromised travelers. Epstein Island Watch: New document and social media attention continues to fuel renewed debate over “Epstein Island,” while separate reporting focuses on how estate filings describe his fortune as driven largely by client fees rather than viral billionaire claims.

Local Consumer Protection: The VI Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs says pennies still count as legal tender in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and businesses can’t use the one-cent coin shortage to routinely round up, refuse cash, or drop required payment options—DLCA warns any rounding must be fair, consistent, symmetrical, and clearly disclosed. Public Safety & Compliance: U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s San Juan Field Office is reminding boaters that mandatory arrival reporting rules still apply, with ROAM used to streamline small-vessel reporting but still requiring in-person port-of-entry inspections when directed. Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters confirmed a breach of its C-Track case management platform that exposed court records and sensitive personal information across multiple U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, after unauthorized access was detected June 30 but traced to files taken in March. Criminal Justice: A federal jury convicted 73-year-old St. Croix man James Lealand Johnston (“JJ Rocks”) of possessing child pornography, with sentencing exposure up to 10 years. Economic Development: Ghana Enterprises Agency CEO Margaret Ansei signed an MoU with the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority to deepen trade and investment ties. Health Risk for Visitors: A Clorox Puerto Rico recall of Mistolin/Lestoil cleaners tied to potential Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination includes sales in the USVI, raising concerns for immunocompromised travelers.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters confirmed a breach of its C-Track case management system, with unauthorized access tied to court records in multiple U.S. states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada; officials warn some files may include sensitive personal data, and jurisdictions say they’ve contained access and are auditing systems. Gun Law Fight: The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint against the Virgin Islands over the territory’s June semiautomatic firearm and magazine restrictions, arguing the rules and enforcement scheme conflict with the Supreme Court’s Bruen framework. Local Consumer Guidance: The DLCA reminded VI businesses that pennies remain legal tender even after the U.S. Mint stopped producing them, and that routine cash rounding can’t be used to deny required payment options. Federal Criminal Case (St. Croix): A 73-year-old St. Croix man, James Lealand Johnston (“JJ Rocks”), was convicted in federal court of possessing child pornography after a long-running VIPD investigation. International Partnership: Ghana’s Enterprises Agency CEO Margaret Ansei signed an MoU with the US Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority to deepen trade and investment ties. Public Safety Reminder (CBP): CBP’s San Juan field office urged small-vessel operators to follow mandatory arrival reporting rules, including using ROAM when required. Epstein Files Fallout (National, VI-linked): New filings and renewed online interest keep “Epstein Island” in the spotlight, with the U.S. Virgin Islands properties repeatedly referenced in released materials.

Maritime Compliance: CBP’s San Juan Field Office reminded small-vessel operators in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that offsite arrival reporting is mandatory, warning that failures have led to seizures and penalties. Public Safety & Guns: The DOJ filed an amended complaint against the Virgin Islands over the June 2026 semiauto firearm and magazine bans, arguing the territory’s permit and enforcement rules still violate Second Amendment limits after Bruen. Courts & Privacy: Thomson Reuters confirmed a cybersecurity incident tied to its C-Track case management platform, with unauthorized access affecting court systems in multiple states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, potentially exposing sensitive personal and sealed information. Local Justice: A federal jury convicted a 73-year-old St. Croix man of possessing child pornography, following a long-running VIPD investigation and a three-day trial. Economic Development: Ghana’s Enterprises Agency signed an MoU with USVI Economic Development Authority to deepen trade and investment links. Consumer Guidance: DLCA said pennies remain legal tender in the U.S. Virgin Islands and businesses can’t use penny shortages to justify rounding up or refusing cash.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters confirmed a breach of its C-Track case management platform, with unauthorized access tied to court systems in multiple U.S. states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada; officials say some records may include names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license data, medical info, dates of birth, and health insurance details, and the company says it contained the activity after discovering it June 30. Local Compliance & Cash Payments: The Virgin Islands DLCA reminded businesses that pennies already in circulation remain legal tender and that shortages don’t justify routinely rounding up or refusing cash, while urging fair, consistent, clearly disclosed rounding only where change is temporarily unavailable. Gun Policy in the Courts: The DOJ filed an amended complaint against the Virgin Islands over the territory’s June semiautomatic firearm and magazine restrictions, arguing VIPD enforcement practices still violate Second Amendment limits. Federal Oversight Clash: Billionaire Leon Black sued the House Oversight Committee to block subpoenas tied to Epstein-related nondisclosure agreements and testimony, after refusing to appear. Criminal Justice: A 73-year-old St. Croix man, James Lealand Johnston (“JJ Rocks”), was convicted in federal court of possessing child pornography. Economic/Trade Link: Ghana Enterprises Agency CEO Margaret Ansei signed an MoU with the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority to deepen trade and investment cooperation.