The appointment of Tafua Fa’au Seumanutafa, as Deputy Director of the Territorial Administration on Aging Office (TAOA) has raised questions.
Seumanutafa previously served a federal prison term for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government while he was Chief Procurement Officer, in a scheme involving payments to a company he had ties to for furniture and construction work that were never delivered or performed.
He was also sentenced by the American Samoa High Court to two years in prison for theft related to the same scheme.
KHJ News asked TAOA Director Paopao Kuresa about Seumnanutafa’s appointment. He responded that inquiries should be directed to the individuals who made the appointment. When asked if this appointment was made by the Governor’s Office, Paopao declined to answer.
Seumanutafa was granted a pardon by former Gopvenror Togiola Tulafono before he left office.
In addition to his prior conviction, Seumanutafa is also a dialysis patient, raising further questions about his fitness to carry out the duties of Deputy Director.
Paopao said that Seumanutafa is at work every day and is performing his duties. Seumanutafa served as emcee at the TAOA program for Senior Citizens Day last Friday. The other Deputy Director for TAOA is Fui Fetaiai.
