Government Ministries have yet to give an update on the status of investigations into the alleged misappropriation of $100,000 belonging to the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration.

Last month the Ministry’s Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Ve’atauia Fa’atasi Puleiata confirmed that a police investigation was underway into the alleged misuse.

Inquiries by the Samoa Observer to the C.E.O. of Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Papali’i John Taimalelagi, have not been responded to. 

Emails were also sent to the Ministry of Police, Deputy Commissioner Papali’i Monalisa Keti in relation to the investigation, but to date have not been answered. 

This newspaper has been informed that two officials, who were allegedly at the center of the investigations, are back at work. The preliminary investigation—which was initiated by the Ministry of Finance—began in September this year. 

Police confirmed that they began their investigations after they were alerted to the matter by the Ministry of Finance, due to the large amounts of public funding involved. 

“It’s still ongoing but so far funds misappropriated amounts to more than $100,000 (though, it may be more),” said the police officer.