Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale has issued a call for law graduates from American Samoa, who are off island, to return and help resolve the government’s lawyer shortage.
The court calendar is backlogged with criminal cases because the Office of the Public Defender doesn’t have any attorneys except the Public Defender.
It’s a matter that Chief Justice Michael Kruse has brought to the attention of the Governor.
Speaking at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, he said, “We have an attorney deficiency,” and the recruitment of attorneys is not just the responsibility of the Attorney General but all of the cabinet has a role in it.
The Lt. Governor said the salary of an attorney is north of $65,000 plus a stipend and maybe a car.
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Lt. Governor Talauega also revealed at the cabinet meeting that ASG received close to $1 million in a nationwide settlement with major pharmaceutical companies. This money has been given to the Comprehensive Substance Abuse Commission, which is tasked with combatting and preventing drug abuse through education and outreach, enforcement, and treatment.
Talauega credited Attorney General Fainuulelei Alailima Utu and his staff for acquiring the funds, and explained how they will be used.
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A meeting of the Comprehensive Substance Abuse Commission will be held 9am tomorrow at the VA Center.
