OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Thursday, August 30, 2007)
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Acting Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia issues statement on Uiagalelei Iona federal case

(UTULEI) – Acting Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia today issued the following statement regarding the federal court case of Mr. Uiagalelei Iona, Acting Chief Property Management Officer.

STATEMENT

The Office of the Governor has not been formally informed on the federal case in Honolulu against Mr. Uiagalelei Iona, who currently serves as Acting Chief Property Management Officer. We have learned through media inquiries and therefore, the American Samoa Government offers this statement.

At this time, we are not able to comment upon this matter that is pending before the court. It is a basic principle in the American system of justice that “a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

As Acting Chief Property Management Officer, Mr. Uiagalelei had requested a leave of absence from his post effective August 22, 2007 for personal reasons.

On August 21, 2007, Governor Togiola Tulafono issued a General Memorandum to delegate the authority of Acting Chief Property Management Officer to Mr. Ino Vitale until the return of Mr. Uiagalelei to work.

The allegations against Mr. Uiagalelei are serious. And we must allow the judicial process to run its course.

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