Former Speaker of Samoan parliament faces 161 criminal charges

Former speaker of the Samoan parliament Laauliolemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt is facing more than a hundred and fifty charges including forgery and fraud.

Former speaker of the Samoan parliament. Source: Samoa Observer, Apia.

As Autagavaia reports from Apia, the former speaker has been charged together with his wife Heather Tupea Schmidt, prominent Samoan journalist Apulu Lance Polu, and employee Tuitui Aiolupo over allegations of forgery, fraud and theft.  Laauliolemalietoa and Apulu were both members of the Board of the failed company Local Partners and Associates that dealt with the production and export of Nonu Juice.