The US government has charged Uiagalelei Iona with four counts relating to the importation of Chinese women to engage in prostitution in American Samoa.
Uiagalelei, who is the Acting Director of the Office of Property Management was arrested in Honolulu and made his initial appearance in the Honolulu Federal District Court.
Uiagalelei is charged with one count of knowingly transporting individuals in foreign commerce with the intent that they would engage in prostitution, two counts of witness tampering and one count of making false statements.
According to the government complaint, Uiagalelei sponsored 80 Chinese nationals for a Chinese businessman to engage in prostitution in American Samoa.
