3/25/16 – By Josh Stewart

We too often hear stories of government officials’ misuse of taxpayer funds and lavish spending on themselves or pet projects. Open records or freedom of information requests can be powerful tools for the public to combat financial abuses, hold government accountable and spur positive change.

The Virgin Islands Daily News in St. Thomas recently issued a public records request to Independent Gov. Kenneth Mapp and the U.S. Virgin Islands government, requesting information on government-issued credit cards and government travel documents.

The results were not ideal for Mapp — or the taxpayers of the Virgin Islands.

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