Fearne, Scicluna And Others To Be Charged With Fraud, Misappropriation Over Vitals Inquiry
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and Central Bank Governor Edward Scicluna will be charged with fraud and misappropriation for their role in the Vitals scandal. Their crimes they are accused of committing carry a potential prison sentence of up to 12 and a half years.
The two men appear on the second list of charges filed in court following the conclusion of a magisterial inquiry into the controversial hospital deal.
Two former permanent secretaries, Alfred Camilleri and Joseph Rapa, as well as current permanent secretary Ronald Mizzi face the same misappropriation and fraud charges as Scicluna, in addition to the charge of committing a crime they were dutybound to prevent.
The list also contains a number of lawyers, accountants and other professionals who are accused of several other crimes including money laundering, plotting with others to commit criminal offences, conspiracy, committing accounting offenses and the falsification of documents under the VAT Act.
The list includes adjudication committee members James Camenzuli, Manuel Castagna and Robert Borg as well as six lawyers: Kevin Deguara, Kenneth Deguara, Jean Carl Farrugia, Aron Mifsud Bonnici, Deborah Anne Chappell and Bradley Gatt.
Kevin Deguara, Kenneth Deguara and Jean Carl Farrugia face charges both in their own personal capacity as well as in their role of representatives of a number of companies linked to the law firm DF Advocates, which is owned by the three men. Farrugia and Kevin Deguara are the firm’s two senior partners.
The charges stem from a magisterial inquiry led by magistrate Gabriella Vella. The inquiry took four and a half years to complete and cost roughly €11 million according to Prime Minister Robert Abela.
Should Fearne and Scicluna resign from their current posts?