Chief Executive Officer for the Samoa Tourism Authority, Fa’amatuainu Suifua Lenata’i was criminally charged by the Police this afternoon.
This is in connection to a criminal complaint lodged by one of the STA staff, Kerisimasi Melani Tunufa’i over allegations of insulting words in an incident last December.
The charge of insulting words against Fa’amatuainu was confirmed by Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.
She did not comment on the details of the case, other than confirming the charge, but the Police Charge Sheet obtained by Radio Polynesia against Fa’amatuainu indicated the incident occurred on 28 of December, last year.
Police Constable Niua Sekone was the investigator in this matter.
It's alleged the STA CEO allegedly insulted the complainant, by calling him names, in reference to private parts, on three separate occasions.
Fa’amatuainu is charged under the Police Offence Ordinance 1961 under section 4.
When contacted by Radio Polynesia today, the CEO declined to comment.
Aside from the criminal complaint, Mr Tunufa’i is one of the STA staff that filed a complaint with Minister of Public Enterprises Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo and STA Minister Toesulusulu Cedric Schuster, against Fa’amatuainu.
In that matter the CEO is accused of allegedly taking government property such as cements, roofing iron, wood and tiles to his residence.
Other claims are that the CEO used vulgar language against his staff and paid his personal carpenter $10,000 for a minor project, which Fa’amatuainu vehemently denies.
As reported earlier, the CEO has questioned the timing of the complaint letters filed against him by his subordinates.
Fa’amatuainu told Radio Polynesia the complaint letters surfaced at the time his contract has ended and he’s re-applied for another three years to carry out his work as Chief Executive Officer.
The CEO had since retained legal representation to assist him in this matter. He is taking leave pending the investigation by the STA Board.
