The headquarters of Polidano Group was blessed by the Archbishop and celebrated by Prime Minister Robert Abela at a glitzy event last Monday, inaugurating the building constructed illegally and sanctioned later by the Planning Authority.
Charles Polidano, Iċ-Ċaqnu, is known for his decades-long flaunting of the country’s planning, building and taxation laws. An analysis by The Shift shows that he still faces 40 ongoing cases by different government entities, apart from cases filed by individuals.
Abela justified his presence at the event by saying he wanted “to pass a message of a show of confidence” after Ċaqnu and his companies partially paid their due taxes, left by various administrations to accumulate to some €40 million over the years.
According to the Prime Minister, the inauguration had been postponed for a long time as he had insisted that the rogue developer start paying his taxes.
Research conducted by The Shift on the court’s publicly available register shows that brothers Carmel (Charles) and Paul Polidano and their mother company, Polidano Brothers, face at least 40 court cases by different government entities, apart from a raft of civil suits filed by individuals.
These include 11 pending cases instituted by the Commissioner for Inland Revenue, asking Ċaqnu to pay his taxes, including income and VAT dues, 25 cases instituted by the Planning Authority on various construction illegalities and another one by the Lands Authority for the illegal occupation of public land.
These cases are just the tip of the iceberg since Ċaqnu has been involved in a number of other court cases against government entities for many years, some settled, some lost, and others appealed.
At the same time, earlier this year, the Inland Revenue Commissioner stopped some other court cases instituted over the lack of payment of taxes, declaring in court that a partial settlement agreement was reached and Polidano had started settling his dues.
According to media reports, following legal action by the taxman and threats of blacklisting from government projects, Polidano paid some €20 million – half of what is owed.
The rest are expected to be paid in instalments.
In July 2022, following Ċaqnu’s arrest and that of his son, Gordon, for police interrogation over suspected money laundering and corruption, it was reported that the developer held a private meeting with the Prime Minister at Castille.
No details were given on what was discussed.
While the Polidanos were released on bail, they were never arraigned in court to face any criminal charges. They deny the allegations.
It is not known whether investigations are still ongoing as the police won’t divulge such information.
Currently, Ċaqnu’s group employs some 2,000 workers, primarily third-country nationals, and is regularly involved in multi-million-euro tenders and direct orders on government projects.
He has repeatedly threatened to lay off all his employees if the government insists on enforcing rules.
Call his bluff.
Exactly
Who is the bigger crook, Polidano, or Abela?
Abela, he empowers crooks.
The biggest crook is the Labour Gov Abela. Caqnu, with his ability is an employer with all that staff earning their family living.
Caqnu and all the slave drivers in Malta do not contribute anything to the real GDP.
The cash that is leaving Malta back to the country of origin of these TWC workers is equivalent to the government yearly debt. It is like digging holes in water. Of course Caqnu and his likes pocket their percentage and no taxes on them. ….. Bank Robbery is a like stealing sweets from the corner shop.
“after Ċaqnu and his companies partially paid their due taxes” The prime minister, Robert Abela didn’t have the courage to mention the amount paid. Ma tarax. Clowns kollha kemm huma.
If Caqnu’s group lay off all his employees, some 2,000 third-country nationals, it would have been a big surprise to us all. But our government ( tuba ) would not call their bluff.
Our God is MONEY. This is ruining our families and I am very sorry could also ruin our church.
If only Iċ-Ċaqnu were the only PL-supported lawbreaker on these islands…
THE WORST THING that can happen when a GOVERNMENT OF STATE is in conpiracy with corrupt rich people. Mhux talli hekk, idahhlu nies prominenti fil-borma tat tahwid minghajr wiehed ikun jaf. Jew jafu biex ibillu idejhom ukoll. Prosit ghal Arcidjocesi Maltija. Kif tridhom iz-zaghagh tal-llum jimxu fit triq religjuza meta jisimghu b’dan it-tahwid politiku religjuz.
Il-Malti jghid hobni u ghobodni. Kif ser jispjega dan l’invit, Il-mahbub Taghna l-Emeritus Arcisqof Charles Scicluna meta!!!!.
Mafiamalta 360 degrees
u il brava ex president Coliero li hi il PALADİN TAL FQİR U TAİ HADDİEM İL BAXX
And lovin Malta has an article promoting his other illegal building?
https://lovinmalta.com/sponsored/deals-entertainment-and-daily-prizes-at-il-fiera-l-kbira-at-the-montekristo-estate/
JUST SHOWS WHO IS RUNNING THE SHOW. THE CONSTRUCTION BARONS HAVE BOBBY BY THE BALLS GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT!!!💯🤑🤑🤑
Most of it was built during the Nationalist Administration and with blessings.
If they owe so much in unpaid taxes, go and sieze their huge vehicles which wreck streets and sell them for scrap .. too much corruption on this island!
Vehicles??? Seize this property and make him pay his dues!!! Il-vat department jigri wara €40 penalty for a zero tax return not filed and this guy 😕😕 millions owed and nothing done!
Yes that’s true.
So they say that money can move mountains. Now not only Bobby and his friends are in with the mafia but the Archdiocese and ex Presidents too
It actually means that money can move heaven and earth!!
There may as well be a big sign on the arrivals section of the airport :
”LIVE MAFIA STORAGE”
Rules (or lack of them) for the elite and rules for the workers. This country will get into extreme trouble because what it does not collect in taxes it will borrow from Joe public! Eventually public debt will catch up with us and the whole of the population will suffer including those who always paid their taxes.
Let him vote for him
Pl supporters are fed up!