25 Sep 2002

American Samoa's white collar crime agency will investigate Fono Speaker

10:42 am on 25 September 2002

America Samoa's corruption and white collar crime agency says it will launch an investigation into allegations of the misue of Fono funds by the House of Representative's Speaker.

Mike Salas, who is the director of Criminal Intelligence and Drug Enforcement office, says it will look into allegations of the Speaker Matagi Ray McMoore using Fono funds to buy a vehicle worth 42-thousand US dollars.

Other allegations include the use of Fono funds to pay for travel expenses accrued by Matagi's wife.

Mr Salas says his office decided to launch the investigation because of concerns raised by the citizen's group, Common Cause and government MP, Agaoleatu Tautolo.