A suspended IIP agent at the centre of an undercover sting operation will be investigated over a breach of ethics after the courts exposed potential malpractice unrelated to the current scandal.

Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo ordered the Chamber of Advocates to start their investigation during proceedings concerning a call for an inquiry from activist group Repubblika into the case.

It appears that Jean Philippe Chetcuti acts as a director fr two firms, Chetcuti Cauchi Advisors Ltd and Chetcuti Cauchi Consulting Ltd, something which is a ethics breach for lawyers.

Recently published undercover footages showed lawyers at Chetcuti Cauchi boasting about their ministerial connections, namely with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and junior minister Julia Farrugia Portelli and, and how authorities would “close an eye” to buyers with a criminal record.

The law firm has since lost its license to operate in the IIP scheme.

While all parties have denied any claims of wrongdoing, Repubblika’s request will see whether ’trading in influence’ took place.

The magistrate will be holding a sitting to hear testimony from Manuel Delia, on behalf of Repubblika, next week.

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