MCAST Finance Manager created fake salary payments to embezzle funds
A finance manager has been accused of embezzling more than €2.3 million from MCAST by creating fake salary payments in the names of real employees but diverting the money to her own accounts, a court heard. Francine Farrugia, 31, faces charges of misappropriation, fraud and money laundering after allegedly siphoning €2,372,583 in public funds between 2023 and 2025. Police inspector Wayne Rodney Borg testified that Farrugia exploited her access to MCAST’s payroll system to duplicate payments. For instance, an employee like “John Borg” would receive normal wages while a second, inflated payment was redirected to her account. Twelve such transactions were flagged in May 2025 alone. CFO Marita Brincat testified after police raised the alarm in July. (Maltatoday)
PN Proposes New Criminal Offence for Death Caused by Dangerous Driving The Nationalist Party has unveiled proposals aimed at improving road safety, including the creation of a new criminal offence for causing death or grievous injury through dangerous driving. Citing rising fatalities and what it called government inaction, the PN said the law must be strengthened to enforce zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It proposed mandatory testing after every accident and the immediate revocation of licences following a positive result. The PN also called for harsher penalties, including longer licence suspensions, and said the new offence should carry a minimum five-year jail term, rising to life imprisonment in cases with aggravating factors. (The Malta Independent)
French-Era Decorations Uncovered at Grand Master’s Palace Decorations dating back more than 200 years to the time of French rule in Malta have been uncovered during restoration works at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta. Heritage Malta said the discovery was made while restoring a balcony, where several painted decorations matching those found in recently opened halls were exposed. The works revealed motifs thought to date from 1798–1800, when Malta was under Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule. The heritage body said the decorations had been hidden beneath layers of paint, likely whitewashed during the early British period. They resemble those found in the Four Continents Room, French Room, and the Room of the Order of St Michael and St George. (TVM News)
