Regulator refutes claims

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 14 March 2016, 12:00AM

The Regulator, Unutoa Auelua Fonoti, has denied claims made by a member of the public about a traffic incident she was involved in last month.

In response to an email from the Samoa Observer, Regulator Unutoa confirmed she was involved in an accident at Vaitele while she was driving her official vehicle but she maintains it was not her fault.

Unutoa was contacted for a comment after Atuaia Michael Liu, accused the Regulator of being at fault. 

He said she should have given way to him. 

But Unutoa denied this. 

“He demanded that I fix his car because I was at fault,” she said. 

“I say that I am not at fault. I told the police my side of the story that I proceeded knowing that the road was clear. His car might be speeding (which is) why he hit my car from the side. 

“He also told Police that he wants to settle the matter between the parties.”

Unutoa said Mr. Liu had tried to force her to pay for the damage to his car when the Police investigation is continuing.

 “In fact he is the person using my status as the Regulator to try and demand fixing his car while police are still investigating the matter,” she said.

The Regulator also denied being under the influence of alcohol. 

“That is not true,” Unutoa claims. 

“Police have no evidence that I was under the influence of alcohol in fact I was working late that night.

“I have work to do on out Tribunal preparations and police have evidence from our security guard at the office that night that I was working at the office and left before the accident happened on my way home.”

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 14 March 2016, 12:00AM

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