Three people have been arrested and charged in American Samoa in relation to food stamp fraud which allegedly netted US$700,000.
Two of those charged, Vincent Toeava and Jane Vasa, worked at the Department of Human and Social Services and the other is a shop owner Kevin Zhang.
It's alleged the three colluded in a fraudulent scheme involving counterfeit vouchers from the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program.
They appeared in court last Friday.
Mr Zhang, who owns stores in Leone and Vailoa, is accused of colluding with Mr Toeava on an operation involving counterfeit vouchers which were redeemed and the money shared between the trio.
Mr Zhang faces 17 charges while Mr Toeava faces 19, including felony stealing, forgery and fraud.
Ms Vasa is charged with a single count of fraud.
The three are being held at the Territorial Correctional Facility.
The Commissioner of Public Safety Le'i Sonny Thompson says the investigation into suspected fraud at the Department of Human and Social Services is extensive.
