Retired US Army SPC Jared Vaina Tuvale of Laulii and Aoloau competed in the Dept. of Defense Warriors Games, hosted in Chicago, Illinois this past summer. A graduate of Faga’itua High In honor of Veterans Day, the School, Tuvale’s military career was cut short aft er Samoa News offi ce in Fagatogo he was diagnosed with bone cancer last year. See story for is closed today, Friday Nov. 10th. details. [photo: courtesy] We will be open for business on Monday, Nov 13th. HAPPY VETERANS DAY! C M Y K ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017 $1.00 Jury fi nds former schoolteacher not guilty for Amata recognizes striking a student with a wooden paddle THE ACTION WAS OUT OF LOVE — NOT ANGER — ARGUED THE DEFENSE Veterans and their by Ausage Fausia and PD’s lead investigator. LEATUALEVAO’S Samoa News Reporter When asked for a comment TESTIMONY A six-member, all-female about the verdict outside the Leatualevao was the last jury delivered a ‘not guilty’ courthouse, prosecutor Robert of three witnesses the defense Families verdict in the case against a Morris said — in a loud voice called to the stand. A teacher for former Coleman Elementary while walking away from Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata issued over a decade, he told the jury School teacher this week, who Samoa News — “I respect the teaching is his passion. the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day 2017: was charged with one count of jury’s verdict.” “Thank you to everyone who has served in our nation’s armed He admitted that he spanked child abuse, a felony, and one Fiaui told Samoa News that the victim 2 times, because he forces, and thank you also to every family of those who served. count of endangering the wel- he appreciates the jury’s service. “Veterans Day is particularly important on our beautiful wanted him to learn a lesson, fare of a child, a misdemeanor. “I’m glad they were able to so he can be an honest and reli- islands. We can take pride in the fact that American Samoa has The charges stem from an inci- follow the evidence and the law, the highest enlistment rate in the U.S. Army – higher than any able student, and most of all, to dent involving an 11-year-old and I appreciate them for that. put a stop to his disrespectful other state or territory – along with many of our own serving in student Tony Leatualevao, 39, This is what our jury system the Navy, and others in the Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard. behavior. struck with a wooden paddle is all about and it’s a great “I treat my students as my “That means we have a great many veterans here in Amer- late last year. system,” he said. ican Samoa, and a great many more American Samoan veterans own children. I want them to Upon acquittal, Leatualevao, Speaking of the verdict, be well behaved in class so they (Continued on page 10) who was out on a $5,000 surety Leatualevao praised God for can learn something good from bond, broke down a cried — in answering his prayers, through me. I show them love because front of the jury and the judges. the work of the jury, his defense I do care about them. I act as a Local amputee — retired His wife, who was sitting a team, and everyone who sup- teacher, a father, and a friend to few feet behind him inside the ported him. them.” US Army SPC — displays courtroom, was also in tears “It was a sweet sound to hear CLOSING ARGUMENT when she heard the verdict. when I heard the verdict. I broke Counsel Morris said the case Chief Justice Michael Kruse down, and it was the feeling of against Leatualevao stemmed true Samoan warrior spirit thanked and acknowledged the joy and happiness, because this from an incident where he used jury for their hard work. was the moment I was waiting unreasonable force to disci- C M “ALWAYS HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE NO MATTER After dismissal, Leatualevao for,” Leatualevao told Samoa WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH” pline an 11-year-old student, Y K hugged his defense team — News outside the courtroom, resulting in life threatening Public Defender Douglas Fiaui after the veridict. by Blue Chen-Fruean infantryman competed in (Continued on page 10) Samoa News Correspondent various sports competitions, ASG VET CLINIC PET OF Jarred Vaina Tuvale is the including sitting volleyball, THE WEEK — HE NEEDS A true defi nition of a warrior. cycling, shooting, track, and HOME After being diagnosed with wheelchair basketball. “MUFASA” is a large, bone cancer last year, which The DOD Warrior Games male adult dog looking for a resulted in his left leg being is an annual event that is open home. Mufasa is a little shy amputated, the 21-year-old to wounded, ill, and injured at fi rst, but warms up when from Laulii and Aoloau didn’t service members and veterans shown some kindness. waste time moping and feeling in Palalympic-style sports Mufasa is available at sorry for himself. including archery, cycling, fi eld the Veterinary Clinic in Instead, he opted to fi nd a shooting, sitting volleyball, Tafuna. Th ere is no adoption means of releasing his emo- swimming, track, and wheel- fee for Mufasa; and he has been tions and he found the answer chair basketball. neutered, dewormed, vacci- in sports. “For as long as I can nated, and treated for fl eas and This past summer, Jarred remember, my son has always ticks. Please call 699-9445 or participated in the Department been athletic,” said Jarred’s stop by the veterinary clinic at of Defense (DOD) Warrior mother, Lole Tuvale, a nurse at the Department of Agriculture Games hosted in Chicago, Illi- the LBJ-TMC dialysis unit. if you want to meet Mufasa. nois. At the event, the former Lole and her husband Pat- [courtesy photo] (Continued on page 10) Page 2 samoa news, Friday, November 10, 2017 In The High Court of American Samoa FAMILY, DRUG AND ALCOHOL Coriana Ifopo to change plea in fi ling COURT DIVISIONS FDA/JR No. 39-17 IN RE: A CHILD false IRS tax returns for local residents NOTICE/FA’AALIGA by Fili Sagapolutele The government alleges that Ifopo’s the “change of plea hearing” for Dec. 6th TO: Mr. Paulo (unknown last name) Samoa News Correspondent Pago Pagot Village crime occurred between 2013 and 2015 before US District Court Judge, Timothy Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 An American Samoan woman accused of with the fi rst IRS refund check issued May M. Burgess. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the above- fi ling false tax returns with the US Internal 20, 2014 and the last one on Feb. 20, 2016. Earlier court fi lings by the defense esti- name respondent that a petition has been filed Revenue Service (IRS) for local residents US Assistant Attorney, Aunnie Steward mate the “actual loss in false tax returns paid before the High Court of American Samoa to terminate your parental rights in a female child intends to change her plea, according to her said Ifopo fi led tax returns on behalf of over out by the IRS is $167,000” due to the Ifo- born on April 22, 2017, at LBJ Tropical Medical attorney in recent court fi lings at the federal 200 other individuals living in American po’s alleged crime; however “the intended Center, Fagaalu, American Samoa. A hearing will be held after two months and ten days from court in Anchorage, Alaska. Samoa - all these individuals don’t qualify loss could exceed $1 million.” It also notes the date of the first publication of this notice, in which the Court may enter an order that you Coriana Ifopo, 54, was arrested in Hono- for the EITC. the large volume of discovery of over 8,000 have not acquired any parental rights to the lulu on July 11, 2017 and charged under a Late last week, Ifopo’s attorney, Assis- pages and 121 fi nancial spreadsheets. minor child and place the child for adoption. If you have any objection, or wish to claim or 28-count indictment handed down June tant Federal Defender Jamie McGrady, Ifopo, who resides in Waipahu, Hawai’i, assert your parental rights, you must appear 20th by a federal grand jury in Anchorage, fi led a notice with the court about the is released on her own recognizance and within two months and ten days from the first publication of this notice and file an objection or where she appeared on July 14th and defendant’s “intent to change her plea in travel is prohibited to the island of Oahu, a claim with the Court. entered a ‘not guilty’ plea to fi ling fraudu- this matter and intends to proceed without Hawai’i and Alaska, according to court O LE FA’AALIGA E TUUINA ATU ia te oe, le ua ta’ua i luga, ua iai se talosaga ua failaina i le lent tax returns with the IRS for local resi- a written plea agreement.” documents, which also outlined various Fa’amasinoga Maualuga o Amerika Samoa e dents, who do not qualify for the federal Final pretrial conference and trial are conditions of release. The defendant may iloilo ai ou aia fa’a-matua i se teineitiiti sa fanau o ia i le aso 22 o Aperila, 2017, i le Falemai i Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).