Department of Public Safety officials in American Samoa have apologised for purchasing two vehicles from an account that required Fono approval.
The American Samoa Legislature Fono building in Fagatogo Photo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The account was set up to buy equipment, vehicles and supplies for the department as US$10 from every traffic citation gets deposited there.
The Senate Public Safety Committee called in the department's commissioner, treasurer, and budget director on Monday to answer questions about the spending and demanded the officials apologise.
The commissioner Lei Sonny Thompson said two Ford vehicles had been purchased with funds from the account and that he was not aware he needed Fono permission.