Ethical Innovations: Embracing Ethics in Technology

Ethical Innovations: Embracing Ethics in Technology

Menu

New Virgin Islands Attorney General: Past Cases Loom

Gordon C. Rhea has been nominated and confirmed as Attorney General of the United States Virgin Islands.

Gordon C. Rhea holds a B.A. degree with honors from Indiana University, a Master’s degree from Harvard University, and a law degree from Stanford University Law School.

Gordon C. Rhea began his legal career in Los Angeles defending complex criminal cases and later served in Washington, D.C., as Special Assistant to the Chief Counsel of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities, where duties included obtaining documents, deposing witnesses, drafting reports and legislation, and preparing Senators for hearings.

Gordon C. Rhea worked on the Senate Committee’s investigations into the CIA’s attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro and the FBI’s campaign to discredit Martin Luther King Jr.

Gordon C. Rhea served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., prosecuting cases from misdemeanors to first-degree murders and complex white-collar indictments, and served as Deputy Director of Superior Court Operations and Executive Assistant United States Attorney, coordinating law enforcement agencies and overseeing major prosecutions.

Gordon C. Rhea was appointed Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1981 and prosecuted several high-profile murder and economic crime cases.

Gordon C. Rhea received Peace Corps training on St. Croix in 1968 and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia for two years.

Gordon C. Rhea co-founded the St. Croix law firm Alkon and Rhea in 1982, focusing on toxic tort litigation, product liability, and complex white-collar criminal cases, including litigation against local refineries and companies for toxic exposure and contamination of the Tutu aquifer on St. Thomas.

Gordon C. Rhea has practiced in the Virgin Islands bar for forty years, handled multiple high-profile cases in the territory, and secured the largest civil jury verdict ever rendered in the Virgin Islands in a case involving cancer deaths attributed to cigarettes.

Gordon C. Rhea received the Winston Hodge Award from the Virgin Islands Bar Association.

Contact information for the Office of the Attorney General is listed as 3438 Kronprindsens Gade GERS Building, 2nd Floor, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802, telephone 340-774-5666 ext.155.

Original article (cia) (fbi) (washington) (ethiopia) (legislation) (contamination) (cigarettes) (overtime) (scandal) (corruption) (outrage) (accountability) (lawfare) (entitlement) (polarization) (controversy)

Real Value Analysis

Actionable information and practical steps This article is essentially a biographical summary of Gordon C. Rhea’s education and career, plus a contact phone and address for the Office of the Attorney General. As such it gives almost no actionable guidance a reader can use to solve a specific problem or take a helpful next step, except for one narrow item: the contact details for the Office of the Attorney General, which a reader in the U.S. Virgin Islands could use to call or visit for matters that require that office. Beyond that single piece of contact information, the article does not provide clear steps, choices, instructions, or tools a person could apply immediately to address a legal, medical, safety, or financial question. It does not explain how to file a complaint, what services the office offers, how to reach a particular unit, or how to prepare materials for a legal action. Therefore, aside from the address and phone number, the article offers no practical actions to take.

Educational depth and explanation The article lists roles, positions, cases, and awards, but it remains descriptive and surface-level. It tells where Mr. Rhea studied, the types of work he did (e.g., prosecuting murders, toxic tort litigation, work on Senate investigations), and some achievements, but it does not explain the systems, reasoning, or impacts behind those items. There is no discussion of how his work changed legal practice, what legal standards or procedures were involved in the cases mentioned, how those investigations proceeded in detail, or why particular prosecutions mattered legally or socially. No data, statistics, or methodological explanation are provided, so a reader who wants to understand causes, processes, or lessons from the cases will not find it here. In short, the article does not teach beyond a factual résumé.

Personal relevance For most readers the material is of limited direct relevance. It may matter to people in the U.S. Virgin Islands who want to know who is serving as Attorney General, or to those with a specific interest in the territory’s legal community or particular historic cases referenced. For everyone else the content is biographical background without clear personal impact on safety, money, health, or everyday decisions. It does not provide guidance on how citizens should interact with the Attorney General’s office, how to protect themselves from the harms discussed (toxic exposure, fraud, violent crime), or how to take legal action.

Public service function The article does not function as a public service piece. It does not include safety guidance, consumer warnings, emergency procedures, or instructions on how to report crimes or environmental contamination. It reads as an informational profile rather than a public notice or resource. If the intent was civic usefulness, it missed the chance to explain what the Attorney General’s office does for residents, how to access services, or how to report wrongdoing.

Practical advice and feasibility There are no practical, step-by-step tips in the article for an ordinary reader to follow. No procedures, checklists, or realistic next steps are included beyond the contact details. Therefore there is nothing here to evaluate for feasibility or clarity.

Long-term impact The article does not help readers plan ahead, improve safety, or change habits. It documents a career and mentions litigation and investigations, but without sourcing lessons or long-term guidance that would help someone avoid problems or make better choices in the future.

Emotional and psychological impact The tone is neutral and informational. It is unlikely to create fear or undue alarm, but it also does not provide reassurance, coping strategies, or constructive next steps for anyone who might be affected by the topics mentioned (e.g., toxic contamination or criminal prosecutions).

Clickbait or sensational language The article is straightforward and not sensational. It does not use exaggerated claims or clickbait tactics; it simply lists credentials and career highlights.

Missed opportunities to teach or guide The article misses several clear chances to be more useful. It could have told readers what the Attorney General’s office handles, how to file complaints or requests, what protections exist for people reporting environmental contamination or white-collar crime, or how public investigations into intelligence agencies proceed and what oversight mechanisms exist. It could have explained how to evaluate liability in toxic exposure claims or what evidence typically matters in complex prosecutions. None of that is offered.

Suggested simple methods to learn more or assess claims If you encounter articles like this and want to learn more or judge their practical relevance, compare independent accounts from official sources such as government websites, court records, and local bar associations. Look for primary documents (court filings, press releases from the Attorney General’s office) that confirm claims and provide procedural details. Consider whether the piece cites verifiable events (named cases, dates, awards) and then seek the public records for those items. When assessing risk claims (for example, about toxic exposure), ask whether the article connects exposure to established medical findings and whether it references regulatory or remediation steps taken by authorities.

Added practical guidance the article failed to provide If your concern is contacting the Attorney General’s office or using that office’s services, start by calling the provided phone number to ask which unit handles your issue and what documentation they require. If your matter concerns environmental contamination, ask specifically for the environmental or consumer protection division, what the complaint process is, and whether there is guidance about collecting and preserving evidence such as photos, dates, medical records, or laboratory results. If you are a victim of fraud, violent crime, or want to report misconduct, request the procedure for filing a formal complaint and whether there is a victim-witness assistance program. When seeking legal help, prepare a concise chronology of events, copies of any contracts, correspondence, or reports, and a list of witnesses before any meeting so you can use your time efficiently. For personal safety or environmental concerns, document hazards with time-stamped photos, avoid entering contaminated sites without protective gear, and keep written records of all communications with authorities and companies. If you need longer-term planning, set reminders to follow up with the agency at defined intervals (for example, two weeks after filing a complaint) and keep copies of any reference numbers or names of officials you spoke with.

Overall assessment The article is a factual biographical profile with limited practical use. It provides one actionable item—a contact address and phone number—but otherwise offers no procedural, educational, or public-service information that an ordinary reader could use to act, learn in depth, or protect themselves. The suggestions above give realistic, general next steps readers can use when they need to interact with a legal office or address similar local concerns.

Bias analysis

"Gordon C. Rhea has been nominated and confirmed as Attorney General of the United States Virgin Islands."

This sentence presents a fact without praise or criticism. It names the position and confirms the outcome, so there is no virtue signaling, loaded praise, or dismissive language. The wording does not hide who acted or use passive voice to obscure responsibility. It helps no side and hides nothing, so no bias is present here.

"Gordon C. Rhea holds a B.A. degree with honors from Indiana University, a Master’s degree from Harvard University, and a law degree from Stanford University Law School."

The listing of prestigious schools and "with honors" highlights elite credentials and frames him as highly qualified. That selection favors respect for academic prestige and helps create an impression of authority. It uses strong-status words by naming top institutions, which can signal class bias toward higher education and elite credentials.

"Gordon C. Rhea began his legal career in Los Angeles defending complex criminal cases and later served in Washington, D.C., as Special Assistant to the Chief Counsel of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities, where duties included obtaining documents, deposing witnesses, drafting reports and legislation, and preparing Senators for hearings."

The phrase "defending complex criminal cases" and the list of duties emphasizes competence and experience. It selects tasks that show important work, which frames him positively by highlighting skill and responsibility. The sentence arranges achievements to build credibility, favoring a pro-authority portrayal without presenting counterpoints.

"Gordon C. Rhea worked on the Senate Committee’s investigations into the CIA’s attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro and the FBI’s campaign to discredit Martin Luther King Jr."

Naming high-profile investigations uses strong historical examples to imply significance of his work. Including both CIA and FBI scandals emphasizes serious matters and gives weight to his role, which frames him as involved in major national issues. This selection steers readers to view him as a watchdog figure; it does not present contrary views or context, so it emphasizes one side of his career.

"Gordon C. Rhea served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., prosecuting cases from misdemeanors to first-degree murders and complex white-collar indictments, and served as Deputy Director of Superior Court Operations and Executive Assistant United States Attorney, coordinating law enforcement agencies and overseeing major prosecutions."

The wide range "from misdemeanors to first-degree murders" and "coordinating law enforcement agencies" highlights breadth and leadership. This choice of vivid terms dramatizes his responsibilities and supports a portrayal of competence and authority. It favors institutional law-and-order credentials and does not show any negative or balancing information.

"Gordon C. Rhea was appointed Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1981 and prosecuted several high-profile murder and economic crime cases."

Calling cases "high-profile" signals importance and public impact without explaining outcomes. That word boosts perceived significance of his work and shapes readers to see him as prominent. The text selects this label rather than neutral detail, which creates a favorable impression by emphasis.

"Gordon C. Rhea received Peace Corps training on St. Croix in 1968 and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia for two years."

Mentioning Peace Corps service highlights altruistic and international experience, which casts him in a civic-service light. The choice to include this positive community service fact is a form of virtue signaling by association with volunteerism. It shapes perception toward benevolence without any balancing facts.

"Gordon C. Rhea co-founded the St. Croix law firm Alkon and Rhea in 1982, focusing on toxic tort litigation, product liability, and complex white-collar criminal cases, including litigation against local refineries and companies for toxic exposure and contamination of the Tutu aquifer on St. Thomas."

Describing litigation "against local refineries and companies" and naming contamination points to advocacy for victims and environmental concerns. The wording frames him as fighting corporate harm, which favors plaintiffs and community interests over businesses. This selection supports a narrative of public-spirited legal work and thus shows a pro-consumer or anti-corporate tilt.

"Gordon C. Rhea has practiced in the Virgin Islands bar for forty years, handled multiple high-profile cases in the territory, and secured the largest civil jury verdict ever rendered in the Virgin Islands in a case involving cancer deaths attributed to cigarettes."

Calling a verdict "the largest" and linking it to "cancer deaths attributed to cigarettes" uses superlative and emotive language. The superlative magnifies his achievement and the phrase "cancer deaths" evokes strong feelings. This choice spotlights a dramatic success and frames him as a champion against harmful corporations, favoring a narrative that celebrates his record.

"Gordon C. Rhea received the Winston Hodge Award from the Virgin Islands Bar Association."

Listing an award without context elevates his standing by association with peer recognition. The sentence uses an honorific presentation to signal esteem, which is a positive framing that supports his reputation. It does not provide criteria or other viewpoints, so it selects evidence that bolsters approval.

"Contact information for the Office of the Attorney General is listed as 3438 Kronprindsens Gade GERS Building, 2nd Floor, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802, telephone 340-774-5666 ext.155."

This is neutral factual contact data with no persuasive wording. It does not promote or criticize and does not hide responsibility or use passive voice. There is no bias present in this logistical information.

Emotion Resonance Analysis

The text communicates a strong sense of professional pride and respect. This appears in descriptions of educational achievements—degrees from Indiana University, Harvard, and Stanford Law—and in the recounting of a long, successful legal career that includes high-profile prosecutions, founding a law firm, and winning the largest civil jury verdict in the Virgin Islands. The language that lists prestigious schools, important roles, and notable victories conveys pride by highlighting accomplishments and status. The strength of this pride is high; these facts are selected and ordered to portray a distinguished, authoritative figure. Its purpose is to build trust and admiration, guiding the reader to see the subject as highly competent and worthy of the Attorney General role. The likely effect is to reassure readers and to create confidence in the nominee’s qualifications.

A quieter but present feeling of duty and public service runs through the account. Service details—Peace Corps volunteering in Ethiopia, work as Assistant United States Attorney, and coordinating law enforcement—express a commitment to serving others and to public responsibility. This emotion is moderate in intensity; it is presented through factual records of service rather than emotive language, yet it still signals reliability and a moral purpose. The purpose is to portray the subject as devoted to community and justice, which steers readers toward viewing him as morally grounded and civic-minded.

There is an undertone of seriousness and gravity in the descriptions of investigations and prosecutions. References to probing CIA assassination attempts, the FBI’s campaign against Martin Luther King Jr., first-degree murders, and complex white-collar indictments convey weight and solemnity. This seriousness is strong because the matters involved are grave and historically significant. Its role is to emphasize the candidate’s experience with difficult, consequential legal issues, prompting readers to respect his capacity to handle high-stakes matters and to take the nomination seriously.

A sense of determination and persistence is implied by phrases about a forty-year practice, co-founding a firm, and pursuing litigation against local refineries for toxic exposure. These elements suggest steady effort and tenacity. The intensity of this determination is moderate to strong, shown by long timelines and successful outcomes against powerful interests. The purpose is to depict the subject as tenacious and effective, influencing readers to trust that he will persist in defending public interests.

There is also an implicit sense of indignation or moral outrage in the mention of toxic exposure, contamination of a local aquifer, and campaigns to discredit a civil rights leader. These references hint at wrongs that required investigation or redress. The emotion is moderate because it is not overtly stated but is evoked by pairing the subject with efforts to address injustice. Its purpose is to motivate concern and sympathy for affected communities and to portray the subject as an advocate for accountability, nudging readers toward support.

A feeling of accomplishment and recognition appears in the award mention—the Winston Hodge Award—and the listing of a major civil verdict. This emotion is mild but meaningful; it reinforces the portrayal of success and external validation. The function is to further cement credibility and to create a favorable impression that the reader is meant to accept.

Overall, the text uses factual, achievement-focused language rather than overt emotional words, yet it arranges those facts to produce emotional responses of admiration, trust, seriousness, determination, and moral concern. Repetition of achievements, long timeframes (forty years), and contrasts (fighting powerful companies, prosecuting serious crimes) are rhetorical tools that amplify these emotions. Listing elite educational credentials immediately frames competence, telling specific service stories (Peace Corps, major investigations) personalizes commitment, and naming dramatic cases (assassination plots, contamination, murder prosecutions) heightens seriousness. These choices make the account feel more impressive and urgent than a plain résumé would, steering the reader to accept the subject’s fitness for office and to view his actions as both principled and effective.

Cookie settings
X
This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience.
You can accept them all, or choose the kinds of cookies you are happy to allow.
Privacy settings
Choose which cookies you wish to allow while you browse this website. Please note that some cookies cannot be turned off, because without them the website would not function.
Essential
To prevent spam this site uses Google Recaptcha in its contact forms.

This site may also use cookies for ecommerce and payment systems which are essential for the website to function properly.
Google Services
This site uses cookies from Google to access data such as the pages you visit and your IP address. Google services on this website may include:

- Google Maps
Data Driven
This site may use cookies to record visitor behavior, monitor ad conversions, and create audiences, including from:

- Google Analytics
- Google Ads conversion tracking
- Facebook (Meta Pixel)