Suspended lawyer fined over domestic violence incident

Suspended lawyer, Pa'u Tafaogalupe Mulitalo, has been fined $1,000 tala for assaulting his former wife and daughter during a domestic violence incident in 2016. 

Pa’u, of Samatau and Lalovaea, was found guilty by Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma in the Family Violence Court in February. 

His co-accused, Sala Tuiletufuga Tavita, of Fa'atoia, was also found guilty of assault and one count of insulting words.

Pa’u said his discharge without conviction application was accepted by the Court. 

“I was fined $1,000 tala for Court and prosecution costs and discharged without conviction,” he confirmed. 

The lawyer, who has been suspended for two years, was accused of assaulting his former wife and daughter in a verbal exchange at Lalovaea involving allegations of assault. 

In his decision, Justice Fepuleai found Pa’u guilty of applying force with intention on his former wife and daughter. 

The suspended lawyer is facing a separate charge of obtain by deception that is before the Supreme Court for hearing.