USVI: What is the name of the business?

Investors have a right to know the name of the business in which Gary Payne committed tax fraud. Why will not U.S. Attorney David Nissman provide that name? What's to hide? Is it the business of the U.S. attorney's office to prosecute criminals or to provide a cover up for businesses whose partners are corrupt? The public has a right to know, especially if the company trades on the stock market.

A partner in a company that receives almost 100 percent tax exemptions for up to 15 years from the Economic Development Commission pleaded guilty Thursday in District Court to two counts of tax evasion.

U.S. Attorney David Nissman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews Jr. both identified the partner in court Thursday as Gary Payne of Beverly, Mass., but did not name the EDC business. Instead, they referred to the company as "The Partnership" during court proceedings, as well as in the two-count complaint filed Wednesday and in a plea agreement that was entered into and signed on Thursday.

Nissman would not comment on the real name of "The Partnership." A statement Nissman released later in the day said the case involves the use of EDC benefits by a business whose stated purpose is "to provide financial, economic and management consulting services to clients outside the Virgin Islands."

"That business has numerous members who reside throughout the United States," Nissman said.