A former Apia hotel employee faces multiple charges of theft after allegedly using the company’s chequebook and forging withdrawal slips to steal more than half a million tala. 

 Cruz Misipele, 22, of Lepea and Vailoa Palauli is charged with 52 charges; 29 counts of obtaining by deception, 20 counts of forgery, two counts of theft as a servant and one count of using a forged document.

According to the charging sheets, the alleged theft started on 3 January and continued for three months with the last transaction made on 25 March 2024. 

It started with small withdrawals of $300 to $2000 from the employer's BSP account and in one incident he allegedly stole $7000. 

Most of the forged transactions were made in Savalalo and the stolen cheque of $7000 was cashed in Mulifanua. 

Misipele appeared before the Supreme Court this week to answer to the charges against him. 

Prosecutor and Attorney General’s Office lawyer Maiavatele Timothy Fesili told the court this was serious as there were 52 charges involving a substantial amount of money. 

Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma adjourned the matter to next Monday allowing the defendant time to find a lawyer.

Other matters that were called in the Supreme Court included the case of Semisi Aliimatafitafi, a murder suspect connected to a homicide in Fa’atoia around August this year. 

The defendant is alleged to have shot someone at point blank.

Defence lawyer Tanya Toailoa withdrew as counsel for the defendant with legal aid also being revoked. 

Unasa Iuni Sapolu is the new lawyer for the defendant. He maintained his not-guilty plea.

The matter was set down for trial before Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson but was referred back to mention for rescheduling a hearing date after the judge declared a conflict of interest. 

The new trial date is 7 July 2025.