Appropriation bill for partial settlements, pending in Senate

The Lemanu and Talauega administration submitted an appropriation bill to the Senate prior to its mid-term break, for the partial settlement of various legal claims against the American Samoa Government, in the amount of $278,000.

According to the proposed measure, there is an urgent need to provide funding to settle claims brought by the United States Department of Justice and litigation against the American Samoa Government in the High Court of American Samoa.

The bill outlines outstanding settlements in the following:

Simeonica Tuiteleapaga/DOL v. ASG and DHSS $100,000

Mona King and Nicholas King v. ASG $90,000

Howard Dunham v. ASG $20,000

Lolesio Smith v. ASG $17,000

Maatulimanu Maea v. ASG $17,000

Simi Paepae v. ASG $17,000 Togotogo Sotoa v. ASG $17,000.

The bill says the appropriation shall be payable from the unbudgeted, unexpended, and unobligated revenues of the American Samoa Government for fiscal 2023.

"Due to the urgent need to settle the outstanding obligations owing from settlements of claims brought by the Department of Justice and litigation in the High Court of American Samoa, this act shall become effective immediately upon passage by the Legislature and approval by the Governor. "

The fono sessions will resume in July.