Ram Tumuluri takes government corruption claims to US congress
Ram Tumuluri has taken allegations of corruption involving Maltese government officials and Steward Health Care to the US Congress, according to CBS News. The former Vitals director claims Steward’s US CEO, Ralph de la Torre, suggested offering “brown bags” to officials to secure deals. Steward acquired the hospitals contract from Vitals, described as “fraudulent,” in 2018. Tumuluri alleges that Steward, along with top government officials, including former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri, conspired to push Vitals out of the contract. These claims mirror a 500-page report Tumuluri filed under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act last year, aiming for whistleblower status. His accusations have also been submitted to a magisterial inquiry into the hospitals deal. (Times of Malta)
Chamber of Advocates instructs lawyers not to sign new Identità forms for lease registration
The Chamber of Advocates has instructed lawyers not to complete or sign the new form required by Identità for the registration of leases. Similarly, the Notarial Council of Malta advised the Notarial College that notaries should neither sign nor fill out the new lease registration form until further notice. This follows the introduction of the Lease Agreement Attestation Form by Identità Malta, effective from 1 September. Any lease agreement submitted as part of a residence permit application must now be officially attested by a Notary, Lawyer, or Legal Procurator. This additional verification step was introduced to enhance the accuracy and reliability of information provided to the Agency. (The Malta Independent)
Chamber urges government to address structural issues
The Malta Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to deliver a budget that addresses the country’s urgent structural issues, stressing the need for reforms that have been neglected for years. During a pre-budget consultation with Prime Minister Robert Abela, Chamber President Chris Vassallo Cesareo highlighted that Malta’s current problems “are now bringing the country to a standstill.” He emphasised the necessity for a budget that moves beyond rhetoric, tackling these pressing challenges which have been inadequately addressed for too long. (Newsbook)
