Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Claims of misconduct led to the termination of the hospital Procurement Manager Joe Langkilde from the LBJ Medical Center Hospital. This is confirmed in a letter dated February 9, 2023 signed by Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Akapusi Ledua citing two incidents — one that occurred in 2020, the other in 2021.

The termination letter was obtained by Samoa News. Repeated efforts made to get comments from Mr Langkilde were unsuccessful.

Dr Ledua cited A.S.A.C. 11.0443(c), in the notice given to Langkilde regarding his employment that was terminated for Cause, effective March 7, 2023.

“As you are aware an investigation was conducted into your conduct while employed within the Procurement Department. During the course of that investigation at least two events were identified, which breach the standards of employee conduct expected of LBJ Employees.”

The letter cited the two incidents, the first of which occurred on November 17, 2020 citing Customs Officers Faifua Jr Suafoa and Fa’amama Tauiao became suspicious that a 20ft container of goods consigned to LBJ Medical Supplies Division and addressed to Langkilde was delivered to Lucky Star Inc. dba Canton Mart in Leone.

“The items were cleared under the LBJ name and no excise tax was paid. The owner of Canton Mart stated that her brother in China and Joe Langkilde had an agreement for the purchase.”

“However, Canton Mart (then) sells these products to LBJ on an incremental basis and at a significant markup in price. LBJ was, at your [words missing from document], paying up to 66% more for products through Canton Mart while the same products were available from prior suppliers for considerably less.”

“The second incident occurred on or about November 29, 2021. On that Date Customs Officer Isaia Puapuaga, Patrick Mauga and Jaqueline Foma’i inspected two pallets for which LBJ was identified as consignee for “medical supplies”.

“Within that shipment, Customs identified numerous bottles of alcohol inside a box intended for you. At no time were you authorized to include personal items in LBJ shipments. LBJ paid for the shipment of these personal items as part of its payment for the shipment of medical supplies, under invoice S00281179 dated November 4, 2021.”

The incidents highlighted in the letter are at a minimum a violation of A.S.C.A. 27.1033(a)(7) and of A.S.C.A. 27.1033(a)(9), class D Felonies under A.S.C.A. 27.1033(b), according to Ledua.

“They may also be a violation of A.S.C.A. 46.4129, a class C Felony, by using your position to conduct a fraudulent scheme against LBJ and Customs to avoid excise taxes and have LBJ pay for the shipment of his [Langkilde’s] personal items.

“The investigation into events that occurred during the course of your employment is ongoing and should additional information be revealed appropriate action will be taken, including referral to local and federal authorities.

“If you believe you should not be held accountable for these events or if you have information which you believe may assist in identifying parties who are culpable for these or other acts, we encourage you to make full disclosure so we may resolve this matter expeditiously.

 “However, based on the information currently available, your conduct in these two incidents alone are clear violations of the ethical standards required of LBJ Employees and you arc hereby given notice that your employment with ASMCA is terminated for Cause, effective as of March 7, 2023.

“You have an opportunity to appeal this determination to the Board of Directors within 10 working days of your receipt of this letter,” Ledua wrote.

Samoa News understands that to date Mr Langkilde has not filed an appeal based on this termination letter.