Ċaqnu’s headquarters, built illegally, blessed by Archbishop, celebrated by PM

Charles Polidano still faces 40 court cases by different government entities, apart from a raft of private civil suits.

 

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.

Archbishop Scicluna and former President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca were among Ċaqnu’s guests.

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.

                           

Sign up to our newsletter

Stay in the know

Get special updates directly in your inbox
Don't worry we do not spam
                           
                               
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

24 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Wish
Wish
1 year ago

Call his bluff.

Ron
Ron
1 year ago
Reply to  Wish

Exactly

wenzu
wenzu
1 year ago

Who is the bigger crook, Polidano, or Abela?

makjavel
makjavel
1 year ago
Reply to  wenzu

Abela, he empowers crooks.

Joseph
Joseph
1 year ago
Reply to  wenzu

The biggest crook is the Labour Gov Abela. Caqnu, with his ability is an employer with all that staff earning their family living.

makjavel
makjavel
1 year ago

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.

Last edited 1 year ago by makjavel
saviour mamo
saviour mamo
1 year ago

“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.

Joseph Said
Joseph Said
1 year ago

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.

A. Fan
A. Fan
1 year ago

If only Iċ-Ċaqnu were the only PL-supported lawbreaker on these islands…

Joseph
Joseph
1 year ago

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.

Joseph
Joseph
1 year ago

Il-Malti jghid hobni u ghobodni. Kif ser jispjega dan l’invit, Il-mahbub Taghna l-Emeritus Arcisqof Charles Scicluna meta!!!!.

carlos
carlos
1 year ago
Reply to  Joseph

Mafiamalta 360 degrees

carmelo borg
1 year ago
Reply to  Joseph

u il brava ex president Coliero li hi il PALADİN TAL FQİR U TAİ HADDİEM İL BAXX

Greed
Greed
1 year ago
Albert Mamo
Albert Mamo
1 year ago

JUST SHOWS WHO IS RUNNING THE SHOW. THE CONSTRUCTION BARONS HAVE BOBBY BY THE BALLS GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT!!!💯🤑🤑🤑

C. Fenech
1 year ago

Most of it was built during the Nationalist Administration and with blessings.

Aggie
Aggie
1 year ago

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!

Jennifer Farrugia
Jennifer Farrugia
1 year ago
Reply to  Aggie

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!

Ron
Ron
1 year ago

Yes that’s true.

Joe Camilleri
Joe Camilleri
1 year ago

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

Karmenu
Karmenu
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe Camilleri

It actually means that money can move heaven and earth!!

viv
viv
1 year ago

There may as well be a big sign on the arrivals section of the airport :

”LIVE MAFIA STORAGE”

Herbert Carachi
Herbert Carachi
1 year ago

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.

Vince
Vince
1 year ago

Let him vote for him
Pl supporters are fed up!

Related Stories

Agriculture fair cost taxpayers €851,000, a quarter spent on advertising
A three-day event aimed at “promoting Maltese agriculture” has
Glenn Micallef’s ‘culture compass’ main point emerging in grilling
The main point made by Glenn Micallef, Malta’s nominee

Our Awards and Media Partners

Award logo Award logo Award logo