Public Defender David Vargas passes away

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a statement late yesterday morning, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga confirmed the passing of Public Defender, David Vargas at the age of 77.

“The loss of Counsel Vargas is deeply felt in the local legal community and throughout the American Samoa community,” the governor said. “As an attorney, Counsel Vargas zealously represented clients throughout the community over the past four decades.”

From his years in private practice to his service as the Public Defender, the governor said that “Vargas was unquestionably dedicated to the legal needs of our community”.

“Counsel Vargas stepped up to accept the role as Public Defender at a time of great need in our community, and for that, American Samoa is forever grateful,” Lemanu concluded.

At the time of his passing, Vargas — who passed away Tuesday — was serving as temporary Public Defender, following the resignation last year of then Public Defender, Michael White.

Vargas is the only attorney for the Office of Public Defender and he was a partner in the law firm of Rose, Joneson and Vargas.

Word spread in the legal community Tuesday night into yesterday morning that Vargas passed away at his home and it was known he has had health issues for a while.

Samoa News expresses its sincere condolences to his wife Michaelle, son Niko and his extended family during their time of grief.

BACKGROUND

Vargas appeared before the Fono for the PD office’s budget hearing on Aug. 31st, and was told to return better prepared by the joint hearing committee.

In August, the PD office was also the subject of concern expressed in a letter from Chief Justice F. Michael Kruse to the governor, in which he noted not only that the Public Defender had health issues and was unable to run the office, but further urged the government “the realistic commitment of resources to provide for a functional Office of Public Defender (OPD).”

Vargas’ passing leaves the PD office with no lawyer to carry out its constitutional mandated work, a concern the CJ expressed in his letter to the governor about the dire need for a functioning OPD.