AG: No Discussion to Remove Chief Immigration Officer

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Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Alo says there’s no discussion about removing Chief Immigration Officer Tamasa Dennis Lutu after he serves his sentence for contempt of court.

The immigration chief checked into the Territorial Correctional Facility yesterday to begin serving a 14 day sentence.

The AG would not comment when asked about a meeting that he was called to attend with Governor Lolo shortly after Chief Justice Michael Kruse handed down Tamasa’s jail term.

It’s understood that the Immigration chief went straight to the 3rd floor of the EOB after he left the courthouse.

Reliable sources say the discussion at the meeting centered on protection of the office of chief immigration officer and if executive authority could be invoked with regards to the jail term that Tamasa was ordered by the court to serve.

Attorney General Talauega would not comment on what was discussed let alone acknowledge that a meeting took place.

Our sources say the governor was advised against invoking executive authority.

Subsequently Tamasa  reported to the TCF late yesterday afternoon.

Asked if the CIO would be returning to his position after he serves his jail sentence the AG said yes.

“There’s no discussion on removing him,” said Talauega and added that this was a private case against Tamasa in his individual capacity, and that’s why he was represented by private counsel.

He was not being sued in his official capacity, otherwise  the AG’s office would have defended him.

The AG said if Tamasa needs his support, he’ll take any request into consideration.

He declined to give a comment or reaction to the court’s jailing of the Chief Immigration Officer.

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