US Justice Department Seeks To Interview Shaukat Ali Over Vitals Deal
The US Department of Justice has requested permission to interview Shaukat Ali, a central figure in the Vitals Global Healthcare scandal, currently facing multiple charges in Malta.
Ali, a Pakistani businessman with Maltese citizenship, is accused of profiting illicitly from the €4 billion deal that privatised three state hospitals. His wife, Aasia Parveen, and son, Asad Ali, are also implicated in the case.
Ali’s legal representative, Shazoo Ghaznavi, informed the court that while the US officials are not considered part of the public, they seek authorisation for Ali to meet with them. The court has requested supporting documentation and a formal application to facilitate this meeting, according to Times of Malta.
The US investigation is reportedly linked to ongoing probes into Steward Health Care, which took over the Vitals contract before it was annulled due to fraud allegations. Steward has since declared bankruptcy in the U.S. and is under investigation for fraud, bribery, and corruption.
Ali was arraigned in Malta in July 2024 on charges including corruption, money laundering, and misappropriation related to the Vitals deal. He is accused of using companies under his control to funnel illicit profits from the deal. Both Ali and his wife have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court proceedings continue under the oversight of Magistrate Rachel Montebello, with prosecutors Francesco Refalo, Rebekah Gatt, and Shelby Aquilina representing the state. Ali’s defence is being handled by lawyers Shazoo Ghaznavi and Jessica Formosa.
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