The Governor’s Office has confirmed that Epifania Suafoa Taua’i, who faces two misdemeanor charges relating to an assault incident, has been removed as Director of the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office. She was served a letter of termination last month.
The March 24th letter of termination, signed by Director of Human Resources Titiaoalii Dr. Asenati Saau-Umi, said that letter serves as a formal notice that Suafoa-Tauai’s contract as a governor appointee with the Governor’s Office—American Samoa Historic Preservation Office—will be terminated, effective immediately. It said the decision is due to a recent incident of misconduct, specially the misdemeanor charge that Suafoa-Taua’i incurred.
Suafoa-Tauai faces charges of third-degree assault and public peace disturbance in connection with an incident on February 16, in which she is alleged to have punched the arm of a cashier at Kruse’s store in Leone and attempted to strike the victim with a stapler.
The DHR Director cited Section 4.0801 of the American Samoa Code Annotated: “It is the policy of the ASG to ensure that employees whose performance of their duties or conduct are not satisfactory are removed from their position promptly, that those who are guilty of misconduct not sufficiently serious to justify removal may be properly disciplined, that voluntary and involuntary separation be handled in an orderly manner and that employees be protected against arbitrary or capricious action.”
“Therefore. with the best interest of the government as the primary objective, it is recommended that your contact be terminated immediately.”
The letter of termination was copied to Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Taito Aliitasi Afuola Mauga.
At an April 8 hearing in District Court, prosecutor Assistant Attorney General Alex Theohares informed the court that the AG’s Office is applying for a special prosecutor for Tauai’s case. District Court Judge Jon Clemens has set a status hearing for May 8.
There’s been no memo appointing a new director for the Historic Preservation Office.
