Fahie’s dilemma

Mr Fahie was arrested in Miami on April 28, 2022, and slapped with drug and money laundering conspiracy charges, among others, by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

He was subsequently ousted as Premier but held on as the First District Representative and Member of the House of Assembly (HoA), although he was unable to leave the United States despite being granted bail.

After his trial was delayed to January 2023 at the request of his legal team, the new Speaker of the HoA, Corine N. George-Massicote, who had previously accepted a leave of absence from Mr Fahie, refused to grant any further leave of absence.

This meant that Hon Fahie would have had to vacate his seat after missing 4 consecutive sittings of the HoA.

Letter of Retirement

Shortly after the Financial Services Amendment Act 2022 was passed in the HoA being held at Financial Services Commission Resource Centre in Pasea Estate, Tortola this afternoon, November 24, 2022, the Speaker read a letter she said was sent by Mr Fahie.

In the letter, Mr Fahie said he was grateful to serve the people of the Virgin Islands and encouraged them to continue to press on for a better Virgin Islands, while learning from their mistakes and celebrating their accomplishments, just like their foreparents did.

Mr Fahie said he was especially privileged to serve the people of the Virgin Islands in the first quarter of 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, “the worst pandemic in the last 100 years that came with great uncertainty and with no playbook" and that many lives were saved through unity, post the advent of the vaccines.

He then stated that he was respecting the ruling of Speaker George-Massicote and was retiring from the HoA and active politics.

“So with a heart filled with gratitude and being respectfully mindful of your ruling conveyed in a previous Sitting of the House of Assembly in response to my 18th July 2022 correspondence to you on the matter of any further absenteeism on my part for future Sittings, I Andrew Alturo Fahie, now respectfully take this time to officially inform you, Madam Speaker, through this written notice with effect from 24th November 2022, of my retirement from serving in the capacity as a Member of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands and First District Representative and from active politics at this time.”

‘Our best days are yet ahead’- Fahie

Mr Fahie also said he had copied his letter to the Clerk of the HoA, the Deputy Speaker, and all the Members of the House of Assembly.

“I also take this time to acknowledge receipt of your 2nd September 2022 correspondence in response to my 18 July 2022 correspondence. Madam Speaker, I humbly and respectfully request of you to please officially convey my retirement that comes into effect from 24th November 2022 to all the requisite authorities, especially to all Members of the House of Assembly as well as to the people of the Virgin Islands, especially my beloved people of the First District, on the floor of the House of Assembly via this letter, among other means you may deem appropriate.”

The former Premier, who was one of the longest-serving legislators in the Virgin Islands, said he was sending his deepest appreciation and love to everyone in the Territory.

“May God forever bless the Virgin Islands and the people of the Virgin Islands, as our best days are yet ahead.”