(The following is a letter by Attorney General Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale to
Samoa Observer’s Senior Reporter Joyetter Fegaimaali’i in response to her article published
in Sunday 28 th February, 2021 issue. Headlined, ‘AG silent on husband’s firm’ the article
questions the engagement of private law firm Annandale-Betham owned by Savalenoa’s
husband to represent Office of the Attorney General, Public Trust and Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment in a legal matter under mediation.
The engagement according to AG Savalenoa was sealed early last year prior to her
appointment as AG in July. The letter is published verbatim).
Good morning Joyetter,
I refer to your article entitled above and published in today's Sunday Samoa Observer (SSO)
which I find absolutely distasteful with your unfounded allegations of conflict.
You may wish to find out the facts of this matter from the Ministry that engaged my former
Law Firm to represent it as the Office of the Attorney General could not, due to a conflict of
interest of the chief litigator and most members of his team.
The engagement was done early last year prior to my appointment as AG in July.  Your less
than credible sources have let you down again with inaccurate information. Please do
thorough research so your stories are at least news worthy and not full of inaccurate
information.
Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale
Attorney General