By By SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News Staff
Copyright virginislandsdailynews
The former executive director of the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park, Peter Chapman, has settled his claims against the RTPark Corporation, according to U.S. District Court records.
Senior District Judge Wilma Lewis dismissed the claims Monday, after Chapman notified the court that the parties had reached a settlement agreement.
Chapman initially filed a whistleblower lawsuit in November, claiming the board “frequently pursued, through illegal and unethical means, funding for the University of the Virgin Islands and other non-related ventures tied to individual Board members,” according to a statement issued by his attorney Scot McChain.
In April, Chapman filed another complaint alleging the Board of Directors did not renew Champman’s employment contract after he disclosed his cancer diagnosis.
The lawsuit claimed that the board’s action violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act, and Chapman initially demanded a jury trial and compensation, including back pay and lost benefits.
According to the complaint, Chapman successfully served as executive director during his first contract period from 2018 to 2021, and his agreement was renewed through August 2024.
On Feb. 26, 2024, Chapman received an email from the board, notifying him of their decision not to renew his employment contract, according to court records.
A public corporation and autonomous governmental instrumentality created by law in 2002, the RTPark is intended to stimulate the technology economy and attract new businesses to the territory through incentives, including up to 90% income tax reductions and other tax exemptions.
