Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg Jr. (born December 30, 1962) is a U.S. Virgin Islander politician, who has served as a Senator in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands since January 1995.[1] He was most recently a Democratic candidate for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands in the 2010 gubernatorial election.[1]
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Donastorg was born on December 20, 1962, to parents, Josefina and Adlah Donastorg, Sr. He is married to Benedicta “Bennie” (née Acosta) Donastorg and resides in Estate Wintberg.[2] The couple have six children - Sean, Adlah, Vanessa, Erika, Adonte and Amiel.
Donastorg was first elected to the U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature in 1994. He took office as a Senator in January 1995 at the beginning of the 21st Legislature.[1] He has held that particular office for seven terms, as of 2010.[1]
Donastorg was previously a candidate for Governor of the Virgin Islands in 2006 as an Independent. His running mate for Lieutenant Governor was Dr. Cora Christian.[1] However, Donastorg was defeated in the general election by John de Jongh, who won the 2006 gubernatorial election.[1]
On July 25, 2010, Adlah Donastorg announced his candidacy for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the upcoming 2010 gubernatorial election.[1] He announced his intention to challenge incumbent Governor John de Jongh in the Democratic primary on September 11, 2010.[1] Donastorg, in his candidacy speech at the Estate La Grande Princesse, chose his running mate, Samuel Baptiste.[1]
Donastorg pledged to focus on crime reduction. He challenged Governor de Jongh to three debates.[1]
In the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary election, Donastorg was defeated by incumbent Governor John de Jongh.[3] Governor de Jongh received 7,487 votes, or 53% of the vote, while Donastorg and Baptiste came in second place with 4,300 votes in the primary.[3][4]
Donastorg's defeat in the primary means that he will leave the Legislature at the end of his current term in January 2011 after seven terms in office.[3] When asked if he will endorse Governor de Jongh for re-election, Donastorg responded, "I'm going on vacation."[3] He also stated that he plans to re-enter the private sector once he leaves office in 2011, "I’m still in the Senate until January, after that I’m going back into the private sector."[3]
Donastorg was arrested on March 5, 2010, in Saint Croix, in connection with a January 2010 alleged assault on a 19-year old woman.[2] He turned himself in at the request of investiagtors.[2]
Donastorg was charged with four counts of domestic violence, including two felony charges.[2] The charges were third-degree assault, using a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and brandishing a deadly weapon.[2] His accuser, a 19-year old woman, identified as "Ms. K.E." in documents, accused Donastorg of assault and threatening her with a gun.[2] However, the woman recanted her claims against Donastorg on March 9, four days after his arrest.[2]
Donastorg's lawyer accused the prosecution of political motivation, since the charges were filed during a gubernatorial election year.[2] The judge in the case agreed to allow expert testimony in the trial, which began on September 20, 2010.[2]
On September 23, 2010, a twelve member jury found Donastorg not guilty and acquitted him of all charges.[5][6]