Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Pulu and Pula Administration is currently maintaining silence regarding Tafua Faau Seumanutafa's controversial appointment as Deputy Director of the Territorial Administration on Aging Office (TAOA) despite the significant public interest it has generated. 

CONTROVERSY ARISES FROM TAFUA’S BACKGROUND

Well-known in the community as “Seumanutafa”, Tafua has served a federal prison sentence for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government during his tenure as Chief Procurement Officer under both the Tauese and Togiola Administrations. 

He was implicated in a fraudulent scheme involving a company with which he had personal connections. Substantial payments were made for furniture and construction projects that were never delivered or executed.

This criminal activity not only led to federal charges, but during the subsequent investigation, he was also charged locally. The American Samoa High Court ultimately sentenced him to two years in prison for theft stemming from the same fraudulent activity.

Samoa News' efforts to solicit comments from TAOA Director Paopao Kuresa and Chief of Staff Leonard Seumanutafa, who is Tafua’s son, went unanswered. The TAOA Director directed inquiries to the individuals responsible for Tafua’s appointment.

It should be noted that in 2013, Tafua was granted a pardon by former Governor Togiola Tulafono shortly before he left office. As a result of the pardon, Tafua’s criminal record was expunged and his full civil rights restored, such as the right to vote or work for ASG.

(His re-appearance on the government scene, Samoa News understands, occurred when he served as the head of the Zoning Board during the Lemanu Administration. It is not a paid position.)

Since Tafua’s recent appearance at a TAOA-sponsored event, members of the community have voiced their concerns on social media platforms. 

Critics have questioned not only his ability to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the Deputy Director position given his past, but also his physical fitness for the role.

Additionally, they have highlighted the seriousness of his federal conviction, which included monetary penalties, suggesting that this may affect his credibility in a government role serving the aging population of American Samoa.

BACKGROUND

In response to a written question, Governor Togiola in 2013, provided the following written explanation as to why he issued eight pardons during the last days of his Administration:

“I do have very good reasons for granting each and every one of (the pardons). Their applications and background informations supplied (were considered, along with) some positive recommendation of the Parole Board.

“There was only one case where I personally had to make the decision (to grant a pardon that was not recommended by the Parole Board). The Parole Board did not have a favorable recommendation on (that) request, but I was not satisfied with the explanation the Board gave.

“Somehow, it sounded like there was no inquiry and (the negative recommendation) was made by less than the Board majority. So I ended up making the decision based on the application and other recommendations, as well as my personal knowledge of the applicant.

[Togiola clarified that the applicant was Faau Seumanutafa.]

“I decided in favor of pardon. After all, the Parole Board review is not legally mandated… I made the referral(s) to (the Parole Board to) review just to make sure I have others in the community looking at the case too.

“The ultimate decision was still mine as Governor, and (I was) ultimately responsible for each decision.”