23 Aug 2017

Unnamed Samoa minister charged in deception case

2:01 pm on 23 August 2017

An unnamed senior Samoan cabinet minister has been arrested and charged with obtaining money by deception.

Samoa Government Building FMFMII, ELEELE-FOU. Which includes the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Samoa Government Building FMFMII, ELEELE-FOU. Which includes the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Photo: RNZI/Koroi Hawkins

The Samoa Observer reports the minister allegedly obtained more than $US50,000.

It says his wife faces the same charge while a business partner is charged with obtaining a forged document.

All three individuals will appear in the Supreme Court on 18 September.

Each of the charges against the minister and his wife carry a maximum of seven years imprisonment if convicted.

The charges follow a review by the Attorney Generals office of an extensive police file which had been handed to them in May.