Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In an atypical case of forgery in American Samoa, two local men have been arrested and charged after they printed out checks, using an online application that included entering a TBAS account information, using the name of the American Samoa Telecommunication Authority (ASTCA) as ‘company header’ and filling out the dollar amounts on the checks. They were able to cash the checks they made at two local stores.

The case came to light when on August 28, 2026, two government officials walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report several forged checks bearing the name of ASTCA that were allegedly cashed.

An investigation into the matter led to the arrest of two men, Cleighton Maiava and Faletoi Misiluti. 

The two suspects were charged as follows:

Both Maiva and Misiloti were charged with:
Count 1: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine;
Count 2: Forgery, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both; and,
Count 3: Passing Bad Checks, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Maiva was charged with two additional charges of Forgery and one additional charge of Passing Bad Checks.

Both defendants were held on a $50,000 bail.

According to the affidavit, at approximately 3:30 p.m., ASTCA representatives reported in person to police at the TPS that two checks bearing the government authority’s name had been presented and used in transactions. The checks were in the amounts of $475 and $350.

An investigation began after it was determined that ASTCA had not issued or distributed the checks. One of the checks was made payable to Cleighton S. Maiava, while the other was made payable to Faletoi L. Misiluti.

The investigation began after the checks were rejected when an attempt was made to deposit them at the Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS). The bank reportedly advised that the account numbers listed on the checks were nonexistent.

Police were informed that the $475 check had been used at ZL Mart in Iliili on August 25, 2026, while the $350 check was used at the same store on August 27, 2026.

Maiva and Misiluti were reportedly at ZL Mart on Aug. 25th when a purchase was made using the $475 check. Before accepting the check, a cashier reportedly sent a photograph of the check to the store contact, who approved the transaction because the check appeared legitimate and contained the ASTCA name.

The affidavit also stated that Maiava signed the endorsement line on the check and provided a telephone number before the transaction was completed.

Two days later, on Aug. 27th, Misiluti allegedly returned to ZL Mart with another check, this time for $350 and made payable to him. He reportedly used the check to purchase items from the store, signed the endorsement line and provided a telephone number.

Police obtained surveillance footage from ZL Mart. The footage reportedly showed Maiava and Misiluti entering the store on Aug. 25 and completing the transaction involving the $475 check. In addition, footage from Aug. 27 showed Misiluti entering the store and using the $350 check.

After learning that the checks were fraudulent, attempts were reportedly made to contact both men using the telephone numbers provided on the checks. Attempts to contact the defendants were unsuccessful.

On Aug. 29, 2026, at approximately 4:46 p.m., police located Misiluti at his family residence in Iliili. He was informed of the reason for the police contact, apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation.

At the station, Misiluti was Mirandized and acknowledged he understood his rights and agreed to provide a statement.

Misiluti admitted in his verbal and written statements that he had used a fake check to purchase items at ZL Mart on Aug. 25 and Aug. 27.

According to his statement, Maiava picked him up from his residence in Iliili on Aug. 25, and the two went to the Lupelele Elementary School library to print documents.

Misiluti reportedly told police that the documents were later used as checks.

After leaving the school library, the two allegedly stopped at ZL Mart across from the school. Misluti stated that Maiava pulled out a folder and handed him a check.

Misiluti also admitted that he knew the check was fake but wanted to see whether it would be accepted. He then entered the store with Maiava and used the check to purchase cigarettes and food. The transaction was successfully completed.

Later that same day, at approximately 5:30 p.m., police located Maiava at his family residence in Fogagogo. He was informed of the reason for the police contact, apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Maiava was also Mirandized and acknowledged his rights and agreed to provide a statement.

In his verbal and written statement, Maiava admitted to using an online application to print the checks and entering his TBAS account information on them.

Maiava stated that he and Misiluti went to the Lupelele School library, where they printed the checks using manila folder paper. The two then allegedly went to ZL Mart across from the school and used the checks there.

The investigation subsequently uncovered another transaction involving the same $475 check. On Aug. 31, 2026, a report was made concerning a fraudulent ASTCA check for $475 that had allegedly been used at Manu'a’s Store on Aug. 28th.

Maiava allegedly entered the store and purchased a bicycle valued at $199.99 using the check. The check was made payable to Maiava, and he reportedly signed the endorsement line and provided a telephone number.

The following day, store personnel were reportedly informed that the check was fraudulent.

Police later compared the check used at Manu'a’s with the check previously used at ZL Mart and found that the information was identical.

Investigators collected copies of the checks and corresponding transaction receipts from the stores. The investigation showed that the fraudulent checks were used to purchase merchandise, while the majority of the check amounts were returned as cash change.

The records show that the $475 check was used at ZL Mart for a purchase totaling $99.66, with $375.34 reportedly returned as change. The $350 check was used for a $31.99 purchase, with $318.01 returned as change. The same $475 check was later used at Manu'a Store for a $199.99 purchase, with $275.01 returned as change.

Police booked both Maiava and Misiluti for 48 hours on Aug. 29, 2026, and transported them to the Tafuna Correctional Facility for confinement.

Maiava is identified as a 32 year-old U.S national and Misiluti is identified as a 34-year-old U.S national.

The affidavits were filed in the District Court on Sept. 15, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]