Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced Monday at the weekly Government House press briefing, his nomination of Gordon Rhea to serve as the next V.I. Attorney General.
“Gordon Rhea’s impressive track record of legal accomplishments and managerial expertise will greatly benefit the Virgin Islands as we continue to strengthen our justice system. His lifelong dedication to public service and legal excellence is exactly what we need in an attorney general,” Bryan said. “His work in the Virgin Islands was transformative.”
Originally from Tennessee, Rhea earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and has written more than a dozen books. He is recognized as an authority on the Civil War era.
Rhea graduated from Stanford University Law School in 1974. He then worked in Washington, D.C as a special assistant to the chief counsel of the U.S. Senate where he participated in national investigations involving the CIA and FBI.
Upon leaving the U.S. Senate, Rhea served as an assistant U.S. attorney and an executive assistant U.S. attorney.
In 1981, Rhea relocated to the Virgin Islands where he prosecuted major criminal cases as an assistant U.S. attorney and later started the law firm, Alkon and Rhea, on St. Croix.
Rhea is a 40-year member of the Virgin Islands Bar, where he was awarded this year’s Winston Hodge award for his contributions to the community.
On Monday, Bryan introduced Rhea, who said a few words. He said he first visited the Virgin Islands in 1967 to train for the Peace Corps.
“I’m almost made for the job,” he said. “I hope to make it (the V.I. Justice Department) a department that the Virgin Islands wants and needs.”
Some of Rhea’s previous cases include:
Rhea’s nomination will be considered and voted on by the V.I. Legislature.
