Aqra bil-Malti
Opposition spokesperson Karol Aquilina said in a statement that the judicial system had not succumbed to Prime Minister Robert Abela’s pressure as the court decided on Wednesday that there was enough evidence for Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and Central Bank Governor Edward Scicluna, among others, to face criminal charges.
This spells the end of Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne’s hopes for a post at the European Commission, while calls for the Central Bank’s Governor Edward Scicluna to resign are increasing.
Fearne was health minister when he told the public that the concession of three public hospitals to Steward Healthcare was “the real deal” despite evidence published by the press on a fraudulent deal the government had sealed with Vitals Global Healthcare.
Steward Health Care acquired the concession from Vital Global Healthcare for €1 amid concerns of fraud and corruption. The deal was annulled by the court.
Central Bank Governor Edward Scicluna was Finance Minister when the deal was sealed. He has claimed he was not informed of developments and the decisions taken were part of disgraced former prime minister Joseph Muscat’s “kitchen cabinet“, yet the court has decided there was enough evidence to proceed against him.
This has led to calls for the Central Bank Governor’s resignation. MEP David Casa questioned what it would take to make Scicluna resign. Although, Scicluna has made it clear he has no intention of doing that, saying nobody could fire him.
Enough prima facie evidence to prosecute incumbent Malta Central Bank Governor Edward Scicluna who has so far resisted calls for his resignation despite facing criminal charges. At what point will he stop dragging Malta’s reputation through the mud and resign?
— David Casa (@DavidCasaMEP) July 24, 2024
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech also called for immediate resignations, saying, “With every passing day, Robert Abela confirms that he was, and still is, involved in the biggest fraud ever committed in the country.”
The accused are charged with fraud. Others, including former permanent secretaries Alfred Camilleri (currently one of the Curia’s financial advisers) and Joseph Rapa, former VGH lawyer Deborah Anne Chappell and current permanent secretary Ronald Mizzi, are also charged with misappropriation. Mizzi resigned following the court ruling.
Lawyers from DF Advocates, a firm involved in major controversial deals when chief of staff Keith Schembri was at Castille, are also accused. These are Kevin Deguara, Kenneth Deguara and Jean Carl Farrugia.
Seems that Fearne’s father-in-law, whom happens to be the first Obudsman appointed in Malta, cannot get him out of this shite.
What will it take?
Maybe a better-paid position, with even increased perks, at the Maltese taxpayer’s expense will do the trick – possibly until the end of the trial by jury.
You are right joseph. The only thing that motivated this guy is MONEY. He would sell his own mother if the price was right. Mo
What will it take? I will tell you what it will take it will take a massive payout because his lust for the god of money is insatiable.
A PENSION increase? Just loves these raises!
A better paid job i would think
I have a few ideas but they won’t be printed here
May you all reap what you sow
It’s the total arrogance of of Edward Scicluna that is keeping him from resigning as Central Bank Governor.
I do not want to be misinterpreted. Let the Courts of Justice take their course. However I cannot fail to note that Mr. Fearne is showing a better understanding of ethics than Edward Scicluna. Whatever his failings in a public administration ridden with corruption Mr. Fearne portrays himself as a gentleman even in the difficult situation he is in.
He needs to become a gentleman!
It will take honesty, decency and love for his country, which we know he has not got on the three counts!
The position of Scicluna as Governor Central Bank is no longer tenable. Since he is refusing to resign can the Governor of the ECB intervene ?
Surely there’s a disciplinary board making such decisions. A governor cannot elect himself same way as he cannot decide to stay if he is being asked to step down ! This is the Central Bank of Malta we’re talking about here. Way back in 1992, the Central Bank had dismissed one of their executives for something he was not even guilty of. So what is their problem now ? Surely, if the courts declared that there is enough evidence for a person to stand trial, he is in no position to lead the Central Bank of a country.