Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga is not accepting the resignation of Director of Homeland Security Samana Semo Ve’ave’a.
In a telephone interview, the governor told KHJ News he has placed the director on administrative leave for 30 days and allow the investigation of the Homeland Security employee to take its course, after which he will review the situation and make a decision “that is in the best interest of the people.”
The governor elaborated that Samana is one of his directors who is always on top of things and he values Samana’s contribution and service to the government and territory.
However, he said the allegations against the Homeland Security employee implicates the director.
This is why he has decided to put Samana on administrative leave while the investigation proceeds.
Lolo said he will use the findings of the investigation to make a decision on Samana’s resignation.
Deputy Director of Homeland Security Vini Atofau has been appointed acting director and according to the governor, he is assigning some of the Governor’s Office staff to help with managing the Department especially at this time of the COVID-19 emergency.
Jerome Ierome is one of the staffers now assigned to Homeland Security.
The Homeland Security employee who is under investigation is Grants Administrator Lisa Tuato’o.
Detectives from the CID Division of Public Safety last week confiscated a computer hard drive she was using.
It’s alleged that the computer was used to produce campaign material for one of the gubernatorial camps. Tuatoo has been visible in the Lemanu/Talauega campaign.
Samana had said yesterday that Director of Human Resources Eseneiaso Liu had initiated a suspension action against Tuato’o.
However, an April 20 letter from the Human Resources Director to Ms. Tuato’o, states she was being placed on annual leave for 30 days effective immediately.
The letter with the subject, Internal Investigation of Misconduct states, “This correspondence respectfully serves to inform of your placement on annual leave for 30 days, effective immediately, pending an official inter agency investigation between the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Human Resources.
“This decision follows an internal review and reports of your conduct unbecoming a government employee of alleged misconduct while performing your duties and your use of government resources for unauthorized activities, and against explicit directives by the governor to prohibit the practice of using government property and resources for political campaigning during normal hours of operation.”
Ms Tuato’o was further told that until the internal review is complete, “you are unauthorized to enter all restricted and unrestricted areas of the Department of Homeland Security or engage in direct or indirect communications with its Director, Deputy Director or employees.”
“This is due to the seriousness of your misconduct and alleged violation.”
“The decision to place you on annual leave is pursuant to ASCA §4.0802(e)(1)and also in the best interest of the Department of Homeland Security and its employees and those charged under your supervision.”
The letter was copied to Homeland Security Director Samana, Acting Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase, Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson and Governor’s Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua.
