The Governor’s Office has replaced the Chief Legal Counsel, Jason Mitchell, who took up the position at the start of the Lemanu/Talauega Government in 2021 but moved off island last year.
Mitchell continued to do work for the Governor’s Office from off island, but his last day with ASG was December 16th.
His replacement is Kristi Thaxton, who joined the Office of the Governor’s Legal Counsel in June of 2021.
Thaxton was the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel to Mitchell.
Also working in the Legal Counsel’s Office is attorney Terry Van Eaton. According to Thaxton, another recruit is expected to arrive in early March.
Thaxton is the latest addition to the ASG Tax Exemption Board. A December 28, 2022, memo from Governor Lemanu said that she replaces Jason Mitchell—who resigned.
Other members of the Tax Exemption Board are:
- Treasurer-Malemo Tausaga
- Director of Commerce Petti Matila
- Director of Budget-Catherine Saelua
- Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr, formerly of the Governor’s Office and now a House Representative for Fagatogo.
Photo: Former Chief Legal Counsel in Governor’s Office, Jason Mitchell
