Virgin Islands inspector general seeks $2.9 million, faces questions on staffing and delayed audits

Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., chair of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, heard testimony on Aug. 18 from Delia Thomas, the Virgin Islands inspector general, who requested $2,898,392 for fiscal year 2026 to maintain the office’s current staffing and operations.

The request, the same total requested for FY2025, is intended to support 22 funded positions and preserve the office’s 20 filled positions while the inspector general continues recruiting for two vacancies. "The Virgin Islands Inspector General's Office budget recommendation is $2,898,392, which maintains the same level as fiscal year 2025," Thomas told the committee.

Why it matters: The inspector general’s office audits and investigates government programs, and senators used the hearing to press Thomas on delays getting records from agencies, the pace of completed audits, and whether the office uses its subpoena authority when agencies stall. Those delays affect the delivery and timing of reports that could identify recoverable losses or improvements in government contracting and program oversight.

Thomas told the committee the office currently has 20 employees — including 11 auditors, two investigators and seven administrative and support staff — and two vacant positions: a senior special investigator and a deputy inspector general. She said the office aims to grow to 25 field positions as budget and hiring permit.

On work completed and in progress, Thomas said the office issued two reports…