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Mayor fined and placed on probation
Friday,
May 2, 2008
Pago Pago Village mayor Vila Tufele has been fined $1000 and ordered to apologize to a man whom assaulted.
The mayor will be on probation for two years. That was his sentence for third degree assault. Deputy Attorney General Fredrick OBrien had recommended that Tufele serve six months in jail and then be placed on probation. Attorney for Tufele Tautai Aviata Falevao asked the court for a probated sentence stating that Tufele was on duty policing and enforcing the curfew of his village. Chief Justice Michael Kruse said the role for aumaga or untitled men is policing the curfew, not law enforcement.
He said enforcement is the duty of police and aumaga can assist police. The Chief Justice said the court dos not want to see law enforcement threatened by Samoan customs. He commented that Pago Pago village gave up its enforcement authority when it signed the Deed of Cession in 1900. The charge against the village mayor stemmed from the beating of two men in front of the Evalani nightclub in April of last year. Tufele expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to the court, and government.
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