American Samoa § 13.2112 - Administrative penalties.

§ 13.2112. Administrative penalties.

(a) No civil or criminal penalties pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall attach, unless the Director of the Department of Commerce has reviewed the facts surrounding the possible infraction, and has assessed an administrative remedy, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, A.S.C.A., §4.1001, et. seq. (b) In certain cases, where the facts reveal a knowing or willful act on the part of the charged party, to mislead the Director of the Department of Commerce, the Chief of Statistics, or an authorized agent of the Statistics Division in verbal or written responses to questions posed by any of the foregoing parties, in order to evade process or prosecution for a crime under the laws of the Territory, or to hinder an ongoing investigation or prosecution of a crime under the laws of the Territory, or for any pecuniary gain, the Director may forego an administrative review under subparagraph (a) of this provision, and forward directly to the Commissioner of Public Safety and/or the Attorney General, copies of all information on file regarding the possible violation. (c) In addition to any penalty or liability under other law or provisions of this Act, whoever, being or having been an officer, employee or staff member referred to in this Act, violates the provisions of this Act while being employed by the American Samoa Government (or otherwise providing services thereto), shall be subject to appropriate administrative disciplinary actions, including, when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay, or removal from office. (d) Administrative penalties imposed pursuant to this section may be appealed to the Administrative Law Judge.