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The failed bidder refused to pay the money and filed several reports about the alleged bribery attempt, including meeting with the then-prime minister Joseph Muscat. This same bidder testified that Muscat angrily told him “Don’t come to me with these things” and crumpled a printed email the bidder handed to him.

The statement by Muscat asked the bidder to go to the competent authorities: “I would like to clarify I was never called to testify in these proceedings. To set the record straight, I told the person concerned that he should go to the competent authorities with any allegations rather than expect the Prime Minister to intervene in a contract by the Local Councils Association, which is not a government entity. The implication was that the person would like me to intervene in order to keep the issue under wraps since Mr Magro previously held a position within the Labour Party.  I said he should take any action that he deemed fit rather than coming to me with such a request. I am informed he did so. This is consistent with what my predecessors used to do when they would ask anyone making allegations to go to the Police Commissioner.”

Magro’s lawyers said they intend to appeal the court’s decision which means that his sentence is suspended until the appeal is decided. Magro has consistently denied the corruption charges and also sought damages from the anti-corruption commission, saying that the report caused him reputational damage.