The vice speaker of the American Samoa House of Representatives has been summoned by the District Court to appear Friday morning.
Laolagi Vaeao is to answer to a misdemeanor charge in connection with an incident that occurred last month.
According to a court affidavit, it was the morning of May 15 that a local resident contacted police to report she had been attacked.
She said the Laolagi Vaeao allegedly choked her in front of an office in the village of Nu'uuli.
The alleged incident happened after she swore at the him for nearly running her down in his car.
Laolagi Vaeao's charge is a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for six months, a fine of 500 US dollars, or both.