public defender
![Former Public Defender, Douglas Fiaui [SN file photo]]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/doug_fiaui_0432_0.jpg?itok=wmAh3ACk "Former Public Defender, Douglas Fiaui [SN file photo]]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Public Defender Douglas Fiaui has dismissed claims that he is on vacation, saying he is on leave approved by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and permitted by federal leave law. He handed in his resignation letter last week.
Samoa News had previously reported that Fiaui is...
![Public Defender Douglas Fiaui in a 2017 photo inside the old Fono building. The court has been told that Fiaui is off island until mid-July and two jury trials have been continued due to his extended absence. Chief Justice Michael Kruse has issued an Order to Show Cause for the Public Defender. See story for details. [photo: AF]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Doug%20Fiaui_0983.jpg?itok=YKzjla7z "Public Defender Douglas Fiaui in a 2017 photo inside the old Fono building. The court has been told that Fiaui is off island until mid-July and two jury trials have been continued due to his extended absence. Chief Justice Michael Kruse has issued an Order to Show Cause for the Public Defender. See story for details. [photo: AF]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Chief Justice Michael Kruse has issued an Order to Show Cause (OSC) for Public Defender Douglas Fiaui, on why he shouldn't be held in contempt of court for not fulfilling his duties as an officer of the court.
Fiaui is currently off island on a 12-week vacation....