Senate issues subpoenas to officials, contractor in Paul E. Joseph Stadium probe

The Senate ordered a series of subpoenas on March 18 to compel testimony and documents about the troubled Paul E. Joseph Stadium project, directing witnesses to appear April 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. and to submit requested records 48 hours before the hearing.

The motions—moved on the floor and entered without objection—targeted John Wessle of GEC LLC/Coastal Systems USVI, Derek A. Gabriel (Commissioner, Department of Public Works), Adrien L. Williams (Acting Director, Office of Disaster Recovery), Lisa M. Alejandro (Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement), John Pierre L. Orio (Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources), Vincent Roberts (Commissioner, Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation), and Julio Rhymer (Director, Office of Management and Budget). The subpoenas require statements of contractual roles, original and revised schedules, change-order histories with costs and justifications, payments to date, and site-condition reports.

Senator Anel L. Bulquez Jr., who moved several of the subpoenas, said the committee needs the documents and testimony to “provide a written statement outlining GEC’s contractual role and scope of work” and to evaluate delays, costs and compliance. The motions were seconded and entered as “so ordered” on the record.

Why it matters: The stadium has long been a point of public concern because of schedule slippages and rising costs. The committee will use the compelled testimony and records to assess contractor performance, change orders and whether public funds were spent consistent with contracts and procurement rules.

What happens next: Witnesses were given a fixed appearance date (April 20, 2026) at the Fritz Eloytes Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix and must deliver documents two days before the hearing. The subpoenas place specific documentary burdens on witnesses—schedules, change-order logs, payment breakdowns and ADA compliance records—that the committee said are necessary to prepare focused questioning and determine possible follow-up actions.