Luatua Unable to Draw Out Retirement Monies

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The former Executive Director of the American Samoa Government Employees Credit Union Luatua Filisouaiga Taafua has waived his rights to a probable cause hearing in District Court and his case now heads to the High Court.

Luatua will be arraigned tomorrow on 21 charges which include stealing, embezzlement, forgery, criminal fraud and passing bad checks.

On the day that Luatua was served an arrest warrant on April 13, and taken into custody on bail of $100,000, attempts were made to withdraw his retirement to cover his bond.

However the attempts were not successful.

KHJ News was informed that the Executive Director of the Retirement Office Iaulualo Faafetai Talia was advised that since the charges against Luatua involved Retirement Fund monies, his case cannot be treated as that of any other ASG employee wanting to cash out their retirement.

It’s understood that relatives managed to put up properties, vehicles and other securities equaling the value of his bail, enabling his release from jail.

The defendant is reported to have been admitted to the LBJ Hospital shortly after his release from jail.

Luatua is represented by attorney Gwen Tauiliili Langkilde and Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase is prosecuting the case.

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