Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean will write Attorney General Fainuulelei Alailima Utu to inquire what action he has taken regarding the senate resolution requesting appointment of an Independent Prosecutor, to investigate the administration’s spending of $36 million without Fono approval.
Before the start of the regular senate session yesterday, Tuaolo convened a meeting of senators to discuss the status of the resolution, as well as the faaaloaloga by the owner of Paramount Builders to senators, last week.
Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga had asked about the IP resolution, and what the Senate’s next course of action would be if the Attorney General doesn’t respond.
Senator Magalei Logovii informed senators that the AG had told him the Senate should name the individuals implicated in the unauthorized spending.
Senator Togiola Tulafono expanded on the Independent Prosecutor law, and the group of government officials and employees whose criminal cases are to be referred to the IP rather than be prosecutor by the Attorney General’s Office.
He said if there are appearances of laws being broken by this group, it is grounds for the Attorney general to request the High Court for appointment of an independent prosecutor to investigate and prosecute such cases.
Senator Magalei said it appeared from hearings conducted by the Senate that the two people involved with the spending of the $36 million without Fono approval are the Treasurer and Chief of Staff.
During the discussion, Senator Togiola reacted strongly to statements made by Senator Fonoti Tafaifa that the feds should be called in to investigate what’s going on in the government. She also said it was best for the Department of Interior to appoint American Samoa’s Governor.
Fonoti chastised the administration, accusing them of not telling the truth, not attending hearings, but taking photos of themselves. “Our government is like a government of children,” she remarked.
Fonoti’s comments did not sit well with Senator Togiola, who said it seems there’s a belief that Samoans are dishonest and deceitful, but only palagis are honest. He said it sends the message to children of the territory who have been sent off to be educated, and those leading the government, that they cannot be trusted. He said it’s no wonder that many of the young people leave the territory.
Togiola said, “If we continue to run to Washington, how can we grow as a government?”
Speaking directly to Senator Fonoti, Togiola said it wasn’t the first time she has made such statements.
He asked, “Aren’t palagis being jailed because of wrong doing?” He said if there are people who are dishonest or breaking the law, name them and what they have done wrong, but don’t make general statements.
Senator Malaepule said it was for the sake of the youth and the future of the territory that they are bringing these issues up. He said it was important to give true statements about what is happening in the government.
Senate President Tuaolo said they need to take action and teach a lesson from what has happened.
He said no one wants to return to an appointed governor, but when things are not right, it makes people think that way.
