USVI: Senator Payne denies sexual misconduct allegations against him

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Embattled At-Large US Virgin Islands Senator Steven Payne has broken his silence on sexual assault and harassment allegations levied against him.

In a statement, Payne said articles published by local media house VI Consortium contained “several mistruths and inaccuracies”.

Regarding the first allegation, which claimed Payne took property that belonged to an employee as a rouse to lure her to go with him to retrieve it later on, the statement said “the fact is that video surveillance definitively showed that no employee had misplaced nor lost their luggage in the legislature building and that Senator Payne never removed any property, which belonged to the employee, but instead had gone into the building and left only carrying his laptop.”

“Regarding a claim by Ms Jones, that claim was aggressively and thoroughly investigated by the Internal Affairs Bureau of the VIPD and then Sergeant Payne was exonerated after proving that the sexual harassment claim was false.”

Payne said he will refrain from commenting on claims made by a young St Lucian woman, who alleged he assaulted her while she was in his care as a minor, until the matter has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office.

He however called the allegations “salacious and unfounded” and said the allegations will not go unanswered.

“Individuals need to be put on notice that these slanderous and defamatory remarks will be addressed,” the statement said.

The statement concluded by saying Payne “maintains his complete and unwavered innocence and is confident that his name and reputation will be restored.”

There has been mounting pressure against Payne to resign and be investigated.

US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan has asked the attorney general to ensure the claims are thoroughly investigated.

In a statement on Thursday, Bryan said: “The allegations against Senator Payne revealed recently in the media are serious and disturbing. Although the law presumes his innocence until proven otherwise, the nature of the accusation warrants immediate action. This isn’t the first time allegations of inappropriate sexual contact have been made against individuals in positions of authority.”

“I have asked the Attorney General to ensure these matters are properly investigated and trust that justice will be swift. I want to encourage anyone who has been a victim of any type of improper sexual behavior, harassment, or abuse by an authority figure to come forward.”

The governor’s statement followed a call by the US Virgin Islands Democratic Party, which Payne represents, for his resignation or removal from office.

“The allegations against Senator Stephen Payne are serious and egregious. The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands stands up for and respects all women and children. While everyone is innocent until proven guilty, it is the position of the Democratic Party that in light of the gravity of the charges, the senator should step down as a candidate in the interests of the party he represents and to preserve the integrity of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. If that does not happen on his own accord, we call on the legislature to remove him,” the party said.

There are reports that members of the US Virgin Islands Legislature are moving to remove Payne from office.

The Senate Committee on Ethical Conduct is currently investigating claims that he sexually harassed a young female employee of the legislature.

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