Former Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa has filed a $1.1 million tālā defamation suit in the Supreme Court of Samoa, accusing current Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt and his cousin Lise Marie Schmidt of spreading false and malicious claims that she interfered in a high profile murder investigation.
Mermada Pacific news service reported the civil suit, alleges that the defendants made and circulated false statements implying that Fiame ordered the removal and concealment of evidence related to the death of Professor Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard.
The claim centers on remarks delivered by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa during a Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party rally held on 16 July 2025 in Savai‘i.
According to the filed statement, Laaulialemalietoa told supporters that someone from Savai‘i was ready to testify that Fiame had given instructions to remove evidence related to the death of the woman who passed away.
He went on to question, “Why is this sin being covered up?” adding that Fiame had refused to call in overseas police to assist with the murder investigation, an apparent reference to Professor Gabbard’s death.
Fiame’s legal team contends that these words, and their natural meaning were false, defamatory and politically motivated and intended to suggest that she interfered with an active murder inquiry, gave instructions to destroy or conceal evidence, lied to the public about her involvement and sought to protect others involved in the crime.
Her statement of claim asserts that Laaulialemalietoa’s remarks were cynical and irresponsible, delivered during the height of a political campaign to inflict maximum hurt and damage on her reputation.
The second part of the suit targets Lise Marie Schmidt, who is accused of writing two letters dated 3 March 2025 -one to the Attorney General and another to the Head of State, Tuimaleali‘ifano Va‘aleto‘a Sualauvi II which were also copied to the Minister of Police and Prisons Hon. Faualo Harry Schuster, and the then Commissioner of Police, Auapa‘au Logoitino Filipo.
In those letters, the Second Defendant allegedly accused Fiame of ordering the concealment of Professor Gabbard’s phone and tablet, of being in communication with the killer, and of attempting to dissuade her from reporting the matter to authorities.
A hearing date is yet to be set by the court.
