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Why were cops and firemen drinking on ASG property?
Monday,
July 14, 2008
Chief Justice Michael Kruse has asked for an explanation of why police officers and firemen were drinking on government property at a party in December.
Quoting from the administrative code, the CJ said that gambling and drinking are not prohibited on government property. His comments came during a plea agreement and sentencing for a fire fighter who was charged with assaulting a police officer. Sefo Palepua was initially charged with second-degree assault but has pled guilty to third degree assault, a misdemeanor. The Chief Justice said what happened stemmed from rivalry between fire fighters and public safety officers.
A police officer argued with the fireman and a fight broke out. He surmised that remarks were made about a family matai and this ignited the fire, which coupled with alcohol turned violent. The Chief Justice asked why all of those present were not charged with public peace disturbance. He said the party took place on government property and those present violated administrative rules. Kruse asked the prosecutor Assistant Attorney General Faamomoi Masaniai if an internal investigation was carried out. Masaniai said he wrote to former commissioner of public Safety Sotoa Savali regarding the incident but never received a reply. Masaniai said he would write another letter to Acting Commissioner Mike Fuiava. The Chief Justice sentenced Palepua to two years probation, fined him $500 and ordered him not to drink alcohol. He’s also to take alcohol counseling and stay away from bars. The fireman is prohibited from going to bars.
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