A court in American Samoa has dismissed a criminal case against Fa'aolesa Katopau Ainu'u who is now the Justice Minister in neighbouring Samoa.
Samoa's Justice minister, Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu, (centre) with his wife Diana and the mayor of Apia. Photo: RNZI/Monical Miller
Fa'aolesa was charged in 2008 with embezzlement, fraud and theft when he was a lawyer in American Samoa.
The District Court Judge Elvis Patea took into account arguments which included the fact that the victim in the case had died and his spouse did not want to pursue the prosecution.
In court this week, Assistant Attorney Jedidiah Bigelow argued the absence of both the victim and his spouse meant the government would not be able to prove probable cause in the matter.
The judge also said a motion to have a 2008 arrest warrant for Fa'aolesa quashed was now moot.
A warrant was earlier issued for his arrest but it was never served even though he frequently travelled back to the territory.
Before becoming Samoa's justice minister Fa'aolesa worked as an attorney for the Development Bank of American Samoa and also operated a private practice in the territory.