WAPA Responds to Outcry, Says it Fell Victim to Phishing Email Resulting in Theft of More than $2M

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Friday afternoon issued a statement addressing an outcry from the Virgin Islands community, after it was revealed during a Wednesday Senate session that $2.3 million of missing WAPA funds was sent to an offshore account.

During the session, Senator Kenneth Gittens was questioning WAPA Executive Director and CEO Lawrence Kupfer about a major financial loss at W.A.P.A., when some disturbing information came to light. WAPA executives confirmed that $2.3 million of WAPA funds had been wired to an offshore account and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) had been notified and was investigating.

Mr. Gittens acknowledged that while the legislative body and testifiers were there to discuss another issue, “Pandora’s box had been opened.” He asked W.A.P.A. officials to expound on the matter, and the authority’s general counsel, Lorelei Farrington, explained to Mr. Gittens that the incident had been reported to the F.B.I. and there was indeed an ongoing investigation.

“Approximately $2.3 million sent to an offshore account that we cannot account for?” Mr. Gittens asked incredulously. “It was reported to the authorities and is being actively investigated?” he asked. Ms. Farrington confirmed it yet again.

Read more: https://viconsortium.com/breaking-news/wapa-responds-to-outcry-says-it-fell-victim-to-phishing-email-resulting-in-theft-of-more-than-2-million/