The lawyer whose actions contributed to turmoil at the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant is now facing professional sanctions in what appears to be an unrelated matter.
The Samoa Law Society (SLS) has placed prominent lawyer Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt under an interim suspension following the receipt of a serious professional complaint.
In a circular memorandum issued to members on 27 March 2026, the SLS confirmed that its President and Council resolved on 24 February 2026 to suspend Mr Brunt’s practising certificate for a period of six months, effective from 11 March 2026.
The Society said the complaint has been formally referred to its Complaints and Investigation Committee, which will conduct inquiries and determine the matter according to established professional disciplinary procedures.
While the SLS declined to disclose the nature of the complaint, it stressed that the action is interim and does not constitute a finding of guilt, describing the suspension as a precautionary step aimed at protecting public confidence in the legal profession while due process is followed.
Fraud Allegations Follow Confrontation
Shortly after an initial confrontation during the announcement of the winners at the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, the Solomon Islands Minister for Home Affairs publicly stated that authorities were considering potential fraud charges against Brunt.
The controversy arose after Tongan judge Mā‘ata Mo‘ungaloa confronted Brunt on the final night of the event, alleging he had tampered with the scorecards to secure the title for the Samoan contestant, Litara Ieremia Allan.
Critics maintained that the official tallies indicated the crown should instead have been awarded to the Tongan contestant, Rachael Guttenbeil.
Following the ministerial announcement, Brunt was prevented from boarding his scheduled flight back to Apia after the Solomon Islands Government intervened, confirming it had issued a “stop notice” against all four pageant judges.
Brunt was later released and strongly denied any wrongdoing, vowing at the time to pursue legal action to clear his name of the allegations.
The pageant organisation has yet to formally resolve the allegations, a situation that prompted the Solomon Islands to withdraw from this year’s competition in Fiji, citing dissatisfaction with the lack of decisive action.
The unresolved dispute also sparked backlash among some Tongan supporters, with renewed protests against the Kingdom’s participation in the event this year.
Several fans vowed to boycott the popular vote, a category won by Miss Tonga in 2025 but taken out by another contestant this year.
