Samoa's Associate Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, has denied four charges including theft, fraud, and falsifying accounts.
Some 30 thousand US dollars is alleged to have been involved, with the complainant the Grand Oceania Company which is involved in business dealings with the minister.
The warrant of arrest issued against Muagututagata last Monday has been withdrawn and he is on bail, with the trial to go ahead from the 10th of November.
Guilty... Samoa's Associate Minister for Trade and Commerce, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The latest charges follow the minister's appearace in court on traffic offences earlier this year - on that occasion he was discharged without conviction.