American Samoa Bribes Scandal: Official Pleads Guilty

Former American Samoa School Bus Director Pleads Guilty to Bribery

Gustav Nauer, the former director of the school bus division of the U.S. Territory of American Samoa’s Department of Education, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery.

Washington D.C. – In a shocking turn of events, Gustav Nauer, 46, a resident of American Samoa, admitted to participating in a bribery scheme involving other American Samoa Department of Education employees and the owner of a company that sold school bus parts to the American Samoa government.

According to the plea agreement, Nauer and other government officials ordered “phantom” bus parts that were never received by the government, as well as bus parts at inflated prices, from the company. In exchange, Nauer admitted that he and other government officials were paid approximately $300,000 in bribes from January 2003 until October 2006.

The scheme, which began in late 2002, involved multiple government officials and the company owner. Nauer faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Timothy J. Kelly and Kathryn H. Albrecht of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. The case was investigated by the FBI, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Education.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled for Nauer. The American Samoa community is reeling from the news of the bribery scandal involving one of its top officials.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government. The people of American Samoa deserve to know that their public officials are working in their best interests, not lining their own pockets with taxpayer dollars.