Julian Willock, the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, was arrested earlier today and charged in relation to two ongoing criminal investigations.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) confirmed the arrest and charges in a media release.
Willock, 56, of Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, was charged in connection with investigations into Visa Waivers issued between 2018 and 2022 and a forged document submitted to the BVI Immigration Department in 2022.
The charges include: one count of a Public Official Using his Office for Gratification, contrary to section 83 of the 2013 Criminal Code; one count of Conspiracy to Provide False Information to a Person Employed in a Public Service, contrary to sections 124 and 346 of the 2013 Criminal Code; and one count of Conspiracy to Uttering a Forged Document, contrary to sections 257 and 346 of the 2013 Criminal Code.
Police noted that the investigations, conducted by the COI Police Investigation Team, have been ongoing for 18 months.
Willock was granted bail set at $50,000 and is scheduled to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on September 12, 2024.