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Woman jailed for two years after scamming travel agency for tickets

An Aua woman, who claimed she worked for the American Samoa Government to purchase airline tickets from J&J World Travel, was sentenced to serve 28 months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and pay restitution of $12,368.

 

Maria Sailelei Tuilagi was arrested and criminally charged after the incident had been reported to the police by the owner of J&J World Travel, who stated the defendant had contacted his business in July 2011, saying she worked for the local Department of Education. She had requested the purchase of six airline tickets according to court records.

 

The woman pleaded guilty to stealing, a class C felony which is punishable with up to seven years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, a fine equal to twice the amount gained from the commission of  said crime, up to $20,000 — or both jail term and fine.

 

During sentencing yesterday, the defendant informed the court that she had the $1,000 to pay the fine indicated by the court last week, however when she came to the court house to make that payment, one of the court clerks did not honor the payment, saying that she had to wait until sentencing.

 

The Aua woman further stated that she then used the money, and sent it off island to help her daughter, who was hospitalized.

 

According to the government’s case, the incident was reported to the police station by the owner of J&J World Travel, stating that the defendant, Sailele-Tuilagi, contacted his business in July 2011, saying that she worked for DOE and requesting the purchase of six airline tickets, which included a one-way ticket for her daughter. Apparently, she also provided travel authorization numbers for the tickets. The travel agency issued the six tickets.

 

During sentencing the prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Tony Graf informed the court the travel agency is seeking full restitution and jail time.

 

The prosecutor pointed out that in the plea agreement, the government had agreed not to seek jail time.

 

(Samoa News notes that during a plea agreement, both sides are free to make their own sentencing recommendations, but the defendant understands and accepts that sentencing recommendations are not binding on the court, which has the sole responsibility for determining an appropriate sentence within the limit of the law.)

 

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond, who was accompanied by Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr. then sentenced the defendant to seven years in jail, however the execution of sentence was suspended and she was placed on probation for seven years under conditions that she serve 28 months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 within a year of release, pay full restitution of $12,368 within two years of release, remain a law abiding citizen and visit her probation officer once a month.

 

The defendant was ordered to turn herself into the Tafuna Correctional Facility by 4p.m. yesterday. Furthermore, the defendant was informed that if she pays restitution sooner, she will be released from jail. As another condition of her probation, the court can entertain a motion for work release.