Judge Refuses To Order Rearrest Of Man Sought By US Over $50 Million Navy Fraud
An urgent request by Malta’s Attorney General for a man wanted by the United States to be rearrested and kept in custody until his extradition hearing.
The man, Frank Salvatore Rafaraci, is believed to have been involved in a $50 million racket that falsified documents for equipment and supplies sold to the US Navy, as well as bribing US government officials and conspiracy to launder money.
He was arrested upon his arrival to Malta on Monday after a request by the United States, however, despite the severity of the case, he was released from custody after being charged.
The Attorney General filed an urgent request for his re-arrest, insisting that she was perplexed by the Court’s decision to release the requested person from custody, simply because the charge sheet is described under US law as being a ‘Criminal Complaint’”.
The AG added that Rafaraci’s release meant he was free to leave Malta without having actually gone through an extradition hearing.
In a sitting yesterday, Judge Aaron Bugeja turned down the request on the basis of several points of law.
Lawyers Gianella De Marco, Stefano Filletti, Mark Refalo and Stephen Tonna Lowell are appearing for Rafaraci.
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