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Former Finance Minister faces 14 election bribery & treating charges

Published

11 hours ago

May 20, 2026

Former Finance Minister, Lautimuia Afoa Uelese facing bribery & treating allegations filed by former Vaimauga 3 MP, Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu.

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 20 May 2026: The former Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai is facing 14 charges of bribery and treating leading up the last months by election where he won the Vaimauga 3 seat by a landslide.

The petition was filed yesterday by the constituency’s former Member of Parliament, Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu who resigned his seat to join the ruling FAST government and triggered the by election.

There is one allegation of treating and 13 of bribery in the by-election where Lautimuia retained the seat he lost in the August 2025 general election.