Nothing on Status of Investigation in Allegations Against Gov's Chief Of
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Le’i takes offense over faipule questions Chief Clerk of the House, over the training of cops for arms Fialupe Felila Fiaui Lutu, gar- Page 3 nered the most votes during Tuesday’s Special Election for Aoaoga faaopoopo mo ali’i ma Representative District #5, Sua #1, according to “unoffi - tama’ita’i Leoleo a le malo cial results” from the Election Offi ce. Th e results will become Le Lali offi cial following a 7-day period, in accordance with Smith leads Mavericks past local law. See story inside for Grizzlies for fi rst win details. [photo: AF] Sports ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM C M Y K DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017 $1.00 Nothing on status of Legislative Finance Offi ce only investigation in has contract workers on staff THIS INCLUDES TWO JANITORS AND 11 “MAINTENANCE” MEN allegations against by Samoa News Staff Altogether, there are a total of three LFO ana- The total budget for “personnel services” for lysts, all earning different amounts, and three the Legislative Finance Offi ce (LFO) for fi scal computer technicians, earning a combined total year 2018 is $841,500 for 35 employees. And of $80,000. gov’s chief of staff it is broken down in quarterly apportionments The position of “lead carpenter” is noted as (every three months) of $210,375 making $18,000 while a research analyst is get- IMMIGRATION BOARD MEMBER SAYS Samoa News has obtained a copy of the ting paid $16,920. THEY HAVEN’T EVEN HEARD THE CASE Fono’s fi nal FY 2018 budget, which shows that A “watchman” earns $16,000 and there are by Ausage Fausia every person working for the LFO is on contract two clerks getting paid $16,000 each, much Samoa News Reporter – there are no career service employees and this higher than the ‘mechanical engineer’ who is While there are a lot of questions about the status of an inves- includes “maintenance” men and janitors. noted as making $11,000. tigation into allegations of wrongdoings against the governor’s The highest paid employee is the Legislative There are two janitors – one making $15,000 Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua, Private Attorney David Vargas, Financial Offi cer who earns $65,000 followed while the other earns $10,000, the same amount who is the court appointed Independent Prosecutor for the case, by the Deputy Legislative Financial Offi cer who is being paid for two “page” positions. has continued to refuse to comment on its status. makes $58,000 Then there is a security offi cer, who is getting Further, the case has taken on a surprising twist, as Samoa The Senate Finance Offi cer gets paid $40,000, paid $15,000. News, through a letter circulated to the media by Victims Advo- while the offi ce manager/ secretary and the The salaries of a maintenance man and a page cate Mrs. Ipu Lefi ti, learnt that the victims were informed two “superintendent” earn $38,000 each. ($10,000 each) are noted in the “other change” weeks ago that that the Immigration Board has decided they The position of “Clerk II” gets paid $35,000, section of the budget and deducted from the would be returned to Upolu — since there is “NO CASE”. (See while four employees – LFO analyst IV, com- amount of “total salaries”. It is assumed that Samoa News LTE section, Oct. 18, 2017) puter technician I, computer technician III, and these two positions are no longer fi lled, as the However, according to a member of the Immigration Board, staff accountant – all make $30,000 each. total number of employees, according to the contacted by Samoa News, no such decision was ever issued — Another LFO analyst and an LFO computer budget summary, has decreased from 37 to 35. they haven’t even heard the case to date. analyst earn $25,000 a piece. Altogether, salaries amount to $773,920 but UPDATES Three positions noted with salaries of $20,000 add on $67,331 in fringe benefi ts, and the total When contacted by Samoa News via-telephone last week, re each are: computer technician, LFO analyst, and personnel costs amount to $841, 251 which the Victims Advocate Lefi ti’s letter expressing concern about the maintenance man. But there are eleven other – rounded to the nearest $500 (as noted in the delay in the Fiu case, Vargas abruptly told Samoa News, “Sorry maintenance men earning between $10,000 and budget document) – totals $841,500. Samoa I cannot comment on that case, and I don’t have a comment, so $16,000, according to the budget summary. (Continued on page 7) please, don’t call me again, alright.” The IP also refused to answer Samoa News’ question if he has ever contacted the victim for an interview regarding this case, C M which was pointed out in the Victims Advocate’s letter. Y K Lefi ti, in her letter, wrote that it’s been three months since an Independent Prosecutor was appointed to handle the case, but it seems nothing has been done. In addition, she wrote that the vic- tims were never summoned to be offi cially informed or receive offi cial documents notifying them of their legal and immigration status, and this includes their attorney as well as the court. The Victims Advocate also indicated there was a Stop Order in affect, issued by the Attorney General’s Offi ce to stop the victims from departing the territory, until their case is completed. An attorney from the AG’s Offi ce, on the condition of ano- nymity, confi rmed to Samoa News that the Stop Order for the victims is still in place as far as he knows. When asked if the AG’s offi ce ever tried to remove the Stop Order so that the victims could depart the territory, the attorney said no. “Unless the AG’s offi ce removes the Stop Order, it will still be valid until further notice,” the attorney said. When asked for a comment, Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale said that because the case is out of his hands, he does not have any updates on the case. Samoa News also asked an Immigration Board member about Mika Aga of American Samoa recently visited the Great Wall of China near Beijing, China and the case and was told, “We haven’t discussed that case yet. Our industrial sites in Shanghai, China to study global engineering. board is still waiting for the case to be brought forward to our Aga, a 2014 graduate of Leone High School, is in his fi nal year at the University of Portland, (Continued on page 4) majoring in electrical engineering. [Courtesy photo] Page 2 samoa news, Thursday, October 26, 2017 Unofficial winner of District #5 election: Chief Clerk of the House Fialupe Felila Fiaui Lutu by Fili Sagapolutele absentee ballots, which were Samoa News Correspondent mainly local absentee voters, Chief Clerk of the House, who are qualified registered Fialupe Felila Fiaui Lutu, gar- electors unable to go to the polls nered the most votes during on election day (people trav- Tuesday’s Special Election eling off island or hospitalized). for House of Representatives Of the total ballots counted, District #5, Sua #1 — which Lutu — the only female can- comprises Fagaitua, Amaua, didate — received 94 votes (or Auto, Avaio, Alega, Aumi and 26%) followed by Tuifagalilo Laulii, according to “unoffi- P. Vele with 72 votes (20%); cial results”, released by Chief former lawmaker, Tuialofi Election Officer, Uiagalelei Dr. Fa’alae Lauatuaa Tunupopo, Lealofi Uiagalelei. with 64 votes (18%); Laloniu Lutu has served for more P. Maloa with 57 votes (16%); than a decade as the Chief Clerk, Uele Fale S. Uele with 50 votes which is one of the three elective (14%); and Ketesemane Meaole posts in the House. The other with 20 votes (6%), according two posts are Speaker of the to the unofficial results. House and Sergeant-at-Arms. Interestingly, based on the Pursuant to local law, results unofficial results, Maloa’s 57 are unofficial until Tuesday, votes were all cast at the polling ASCC will get deep into the “trick or treat” spirit during their Halloween Carnival this Saturday, Oct. 31, at 4:30p.m — seven station at Lauli’i — which October 28th, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the College’s Gymnasium — it’s hosting a “Freak Show”. Cos- days after the day of election, includes Aumi and Tafananai tumes are encouraged and all ages are welcome. said Uiagalelei, adding that it — and he didn’t receive any The event is a fundraiser for the spring and fall community service projects the Student Govern- was a very peaceful special votes at the other two polling ment Association (SGA) takes part in. [photos: J. Kneubuhl] election. places. The seven-day period gives The District #5, Sua #1 seat electors or candidates time to became vacant on Sept. 1st contest — by filing a complaint this year, after Pulele’iite Li’a 5825 Fa’atamali’i Center, Suite 2B with the Clerk of the High Tufele, Jr. stepped down to take Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 Court — the results of the spe- on his new post as CEO of the Office Phone: (684) 699-7923 cial election, according to elec- American Samoa Tele Commu- tion law. nications Authority (ASTCA). Uiagalelei released the The official winner of the EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY unofficial results around 7p.m. special election will serve out Tuesday — an hour after the the remainder of Pulele’iite’s FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER polls closed and it showed a term, which officially ends The Empowering Pacific Island Communities, Inc.