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Judge quashes Order to Show Cause against fishing company

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Acting Associate Justice, Elvis P. Patea has quashed the Order To Show Cause (OSC) hearing against the sponsor of a Fijian fisherman who is serving time at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF), after the court was satisfied that the sponsor has already paid the full restitution that was ordered by the court.

Rusiate Tabete was sponsored by Manuia Fisheries Company to work in American Samoa as a fisherman. Tabete was convicted of stealing and burglary, and is currently serving time at the TCF.

Patea did have an important message for the sponsor, who is the Operating Manager of the Manuia Fisheries Company, Mr. Soo Um Kim.

“The court has dismissed the OSC hearing against you and your company; however, the court has an important message for you. In the future, if your company sponsors any fishermen from outside American Samoa, you must comply with all Immigration Laws. Moreover, when the court issues an order, make sure you comply with it,” Patea told Kim.

Earlier this year in May, the court ordered that the Manuia Fisheries Company had to pay Tabete’s fine of $3,000. The fine was to be paid within 30 days. However, when Kim was informed of the fine by the Probation Office, he declined to pay. The court then issued an OSC for Kim to appear in court.

On Aug. 22, 2018, Kim paid the $3,000 in full. Patea reminded Kim that as a sponsor, he has a duty to fulfill.