Fresh document leak suggests slush fund paid bribes to government officials – report
Leaked documents suggest that payments into a suspected political bribery fund were tied to Steward Health Care’s negotiations with the government for increased financial support. Internal records from the healthcare provider reveal that payments into the alleged €1 million bribery “fund” were to be halted if the financial enhancements being negotiated with the government, led by former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, did not materialise. These financial increases reportedly had the potential to double Steward’s income over a seven-year period. The alleged fund’s objectives were outlined in a secret contract negotiated between Steward Malta director Armin Ernst and Wasay Bhatti, the owner of Swiss payroll firm Accutor. Although the alleged bribery fund is central to the case against Muscat, investigators were unable to locate the consultancy contract that established the fund. However, copies of the contract were uncovered by Times of Malta within nearly 300,000 internal Steward documents obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). (Times of Malta)
Labour puts focus on Gozo in Sunday political activity
PM Robert Abela dedicated a part of his speech to Gozo, saying that the government is looking at an alternate vision, seeing Gozo as an island of villages. Abela spoke of a number of projects done in Gozo such as the new Nadur school and the soon to be opened Aquatic Centre in Rabat, and also mentioned a significant collective agreement signed this week which will see public service members enjoy better working conditions. He thanked several people, including Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri and Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg for protecting Hondoq ir-Rummien once and for all. Media reports pointed out emphatic references to former Minister Justyne Caruana, with the PM saying that “Malta and Gozo needs you and your contribution.” (The Malta Independent)
Government enabled corruption, PN leader says
PN leader Bernard Grech criticised Prime Minister Robert Abela for failing to deliver on his promises and enabling a culture of corruption. In his Sunday speech, Grech argued that the government’s actions under Abela do not reflect the values of the Maltese people, placing sole blame on the Labour Party for the current scandals. “This is not a country of fraud, nor are the Maltese and Gozitan people inherently fraudulent,” he said. “It is the Labour Government alone that subscribes to this kind of politics.” Grech also pointed to Abela’s 2020 promise of continuity, claiming the Prime Minister has fulfilled it by perpetuating scandals and self-serving politics. (Maltatoday)
