26 Oct 2004

American Samoan candidate for governor warns of potential to tamper with evidence

5:33 pm on 26 October 2004

The American Samoan governor says he does not tolerate any form of public sector malpractice and will strenuously crack down on corruption in government.

Togiola Tulafono told the Samoa Observer that incidents of corruption tend to overshadow and undermine their administration.

He says they compromise the provision of service to the people and won't be tolerated.

Meanwhile a candidate for governor, Afoa Moega Lutu, says there is potential for evidence to be tampered with if those being investigated are not removed immediately.

"The attorney-general should advise that person to take leave because you see the problem - that if that person stays on and there is an investigation pertaining to that office, there is a real problem with potential tampering with the evidence."

That was Afoa Moega Lutu, a candidate for governor.