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By Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Retirement Office executive director Filisouaiga Ta'afua, who earns $60,000 a year plus other perks, appeared defensive when questioned Tuesday by Senate special legal counsel Roy J.D. Hall.
The manner in which Ta'afua answered Hall's questions pertaining to the release of information requested by the Senate captured the attention of Sen. Fiatauiaulava I. Sauni.
The senator told Ta'afua that he was saddened with how the executive director was responding to questions. He said Ta'afua should be mindful that he was addressing senators, fathers of the territory ("tama o le atunu'u").
Ta'afua, along with ASG Employees Retirement Fund board members, Aleki Sene Sr. (chairman) and Lt. Gov. Ipulasi, appeared at the Fono to talk about the retirement fund on Tuesday.
Regarding confidential information, Hall said the Senate fully understands that names of members and their contributions are confidential and cannot be released, but he believes other information sought by the Senate should be made public.
Ta'afua said all records requested by the Senate have been released including summaries of the board's travel. He said he does not see any reason to release detailed information about travels by the board because that would be duplicating things. He also noted that detailed records not released, which include the Board's travel expenses, was based on advice from the Board's lawyer, Fiti Sunia.
Hall then cited to Ta'afua provisions of local law dealing with the fund, which states in part that ".....books accounts and records of the fund" as well as records of board proceedings "shall be open to inspection by the public."
When asked by Hall whether the Retirement Office sought an opinion from the Attorney General regarding the matter about releasing information, Ta'afua instead began citing their lawyer's advice on the matter. Hall then asked Ta'afua the same question again, and Ta'afua flatly said "no."
Senate President Lolo M. Moliga says the Senate needs "details to substantiate" and support summaries submitted to the Senate. "There is always the other side of an equation" and the information for such equation has not been fully disclosed, he said.
According to the Senate's preliminary figures, travel costs incurred for off-island meetings are about $122,000 per person annually and with five board members, that totals $610,000 a year. If the cost of the executive director's travel is added, that hikes the figure up to about $733,000.
A senator asked Ta'afua how much he makes, and Ta'afua said his salary is $60,000 a year. He said the Retirement Office has a staff of seven, including himself. What was not mentioned is that the director's salary does not include other perks, travel and per diem that he receives because he heads the Retirement Office.
In a letter to the governor early this month, Lolo questioned the continued employment of the executive director, who admitted his academic credentials were "obtained fraudulently."
During Tuesday's hearing, Lolo said Ta'afua lacked the knowledge and experience to oversee such a valuable fund.
Ipulasi says the board is pleased with Ta'afua's appointment and he is someone that has worked for the Retirement Office for many years. He also said that the board is happy that a Samoan is heading this office, and added (in Samoan) that no one had ever scrutinized past palagi bosses of the fund.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.
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