The American Samoa Government made its final payment of half a million for the $1.5 million COVID funding returned to the Federal government in purchasing the MV Pago Pago on September 18, 2020, under the previous administration.
The US Department of Treasury cited that it was an “unallowable expenditure” and that ASG officials could not justify using CRF proceeds as necessary in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The Auditors inquired how the purchase was necessary in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, which current ASG officials could not explain. They
also questioned whether the former COVID-19 Task Force members considered cost-effective alternatives such as using and improving vessels already owned or leased before the MV Pago Pago purchase. Furthermore, the former COVID-19
Task Force members moved off the island and could not be located to answer the Auditor’s inquiries. Accordingly, the Auditor concluded that ASG used CRF proceeds for unallowable expenditures, violating federal laws.
