(a) Initial appointments to the Commission made pursuant to this chapter shall be for terms as follows:
(1) Two members for 2 years;
(2) Two members for 3 years; with one member residing on the island of St. Thomas and one member residing on the island of St. John;
(3) Two members for 4 years;
(b) The term of each of the members first appointed pursuant to this chapter shall be designated by the Governor.
(c) After the initial appointments, all members shall be appointed for terms of five (5) years; provided, however, that no member shall serve more than two consecutive five year terms.
(d) Appointments to the Commission and designation of the chairman shall be made by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature. Prior to nomination, the Governor shall cause an inquiry to be conducted by the Attorney General into the nominee's background, with particular regard to the nominee's financial stability, integrity, and responsibility and his reputation for good character, honesty, and integrity.
(e) Appointments to fill vacancies on the Commission shall be for the unexpired term of the member to be replaced.
(f) The member designated by the Governor to serve as chairman shall serve in such capacity throughout such member's entire term and until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified. No such member, however, shall serve in such capacity for more than ten (10) years. The chairman shall be the chief executive officer of the Commission. All members shall devote full time to their duties of office and shall not pursue or engage in any other business, occupation or other gainful employment.
(g) A Commissioner may be removed from office for misconduct in office, willful neglect of duty, or other conduct evidencing unfitness for this office, or for incompetence. A proceeding for removal may be instituted by the Attorney General in the Superior Court. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any other law, any Commissioner or employee of the Commission shall automatically forfeit his office or position upon conviction of a crime under the laws of the territory, any state or of the United States, which is punishable by more than six (6) months in prison, or any crime or offense involving moral turpitude. Each Commissioner or employee of the Commission shall be subject to the duty to appear and testify and to removal from his office, position or employment in accordance with the provisions of Title 3, chapter 25 of this Code.
(h) Each member of the Commission shall serve for the duration of his term and until his successor shall be duly appointed and qualified, subject to the limitations in subsections (c) and (f) of this section; provided, however, that in the event that a successor is not duly appointed and qualified within 120 days after the expiration of the member's term, a vacancy shall be deemed to exist.