(a) The books, records, documents, letters, and other papers created or received by any officer or employee of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands in the performance of his official duties are the property of such government, and, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be preserved, and shall be delivered by him to his successor in office.
(b) Whoever, being such an officer or employee, refuses or willfully fails or neglects to deliver such books, records, documents, letters, or papers to his successor in office, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(c) Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to any officer or employee who, under authority of law, disposes of any books, records, documents, letters, or papers in a manner otherwise than that provided in subsection (a) of this section.