The United States Federal District Court in Washington D.C. has granted motions by the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa, Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia and a Senator from the territory, Tulifua Tini lam Yuen. to waive their personal appearances at a court hearing this week.
Ipulasi and Tulifua are charged with conspiracy, fraud, bribery and obstruction of agency proceedings related to non bid contracts awarded to companies they owned.
The two ASG officials had cited the expense and distance in traveling to Washington for a hearing at which no substantial issues would be covered .
The federal government did not file any objections and the judge ruled they do not have to be present..
