Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa's Attorney General Fainu'ulelei Alailima Utu has revealed that his office will not pursue criminal charges against three individuals named in a Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.) report concerning the Kite Runner's voyage to and from Samoa in April of last year.

American Samoa's Attorney General Fainu'ulelei Alailima Utu has revealed that his office will not pursue criminal charges against three individuals named in a Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.) report concerning the Kite Runner's voyage to and from Samoa in April of last year.

The Attorney General’s office has provided clarity on these recommendations. 

As reported by Talanei, Fainu'ulelei Alailima Utu detailed that Port Administration Director Falenaoti Loi-On Fruean had confirmed in an August 24, 2023 letter that the D.P.A. employee who signed the departure form for the Kite Runner did so in her official capacity as Cargo Terminal Manager. 

Fruean fully supported the employee’s actions. Additionally, the customs employee in question had denied involvement in processing the Certificate of Clearance as corroborated by evidence.

Regarding Tish Peau, the Attorney General noted that the D.H.S. report lacked sufficient evidence to substantiate the claims of criminal fraud or conspiracy against her. 

In a previous interview with this newspaper, Fainu'ulelei had indicated that his office awaited further reports from the Department of Public Safety (D.P.S.) and the Senate Select Investigative Committee (S.S.I.C.) before deciding.

He said that the D.P.S. is the primary government department or agency responsible for investigating criminal matters in American Samoa.

"As soon as the Department of Public Safety and the Senate Select Investigative Committee present that information to us, we will be able to determine the issue," Fainu'ulelei told the Observer newspaper last year.

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