Some of your assessment is an exaggeration.  USVI was initially purchased for strategic reasons-to prevent others from buying. And while the USVI has had its fair share of the crime-the type that is similar to Bmore is a no .  However, I believe your other assessment about the fiscal issues are spot on. I would go further to put more at the feet of Governor Mapp.  Corruption in the USVI had always been a dirty secret hidden in the closet with each passing administration more bolder. Snyder may have been the last good governor. Under Mapp it appears to have taken an odd incarnation. You have a cousin who helped on the campaign--we will fire the senior level, PhD and replace that person with the BA in Philosophy to head the office  on Behavioral Health.  But none of these things are without fixes. A few well placed FBI investigations would solve some of this mess. The USVI generates more income than it uses. It just disappears in thin air never to be seen. Auditors and FBI can fix this.