American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono, has fired the territory's Treasurer, Velega Savali.
Yesterday afternoon Velega was delivered a letter from the governor advising him that his services as Treasurer had been terminated effective immediately.
The governor directed that Velega turn in all government papers, records and properties that he may have removed from the government premises or are in his possession.
Velega had earlier rejected a request from the Governor that he hand in his resignation, saying that he did not agree with the Governor's assessment that government finances were in poor condition.
Velega had been treasurer since 2005.