Update: ASG retains Hawaii law firm to defend against Alefosio’s 3rd civil suit

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Government has retained the Imanaka-Asato Law Firm in Honolulu, Hawaii, to defend against Leauma B. Alefosio’s third civil suit filed on August 5, 2024, with the US District Court in Hawaii. Alefosio’s suit is against ASG for retaliation discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and against the Hawaii Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for failing to adequately investigate charges, failing to conciliate, misleading Alefosio of his rights, and concealing ASG’s wrongful conduct. The complaint also asserts Fraudulent Misrepresentation, Negligence, and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress against the Hawaii EEOC Office. Lastly, the complaint alleges Conspiracy to Commit Fraud by ASG and the Hawaii EEOC Office. The defendants, the Hawaii EEOC Office, and ASG, have been served a copy of the 60-page Civil Complaint and Summons. Thus far, only ASG has responded to the complaint. According to Alefosio, in their initial correspondence ASG’s attorneys threatened to file sanctions against Alefosio if he didn’t withdraw ASG’s name from the suit. However, he says he has insisted on moving forward with his suit, arguing that ASG is just as liable as the Hawaii EEOC Office. On September 19, 2024, the ASG, through their attorneys Anthony Suetsugu and Christian Naeole, filed a Motion to Dismiss Alefosio’s complaint for lack of venue and personal jurisdiction. Alefosio stated that he has filed a Motion to Voluntarily Withdraw his two appeals with the 9th Circuit of the Court of Appeals as he feels that reviewing the matter on a piecemeal approach would not do it justice. He contends that his third suit is the foundation of all claims. The US District Court in Hawaii has granted Alefosio’s Motion for an Extension to File Opposition to ASG’s Motion for Dismissal. His opposition was due by December 19, 2024. ASG's optional reply due by January 3, 2025. Alefosio took the original civil complaint to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). He was an employee of the Public Defender’s (PD) office, working as an investigator, when he was terminated, in 2021. He believes he was wrongfully terminated by the ASG- DHR and without due process. Section: Local News Tags: civil suit
2026-06-30 17:52:49