PM’s Office ‘Vehemently’ Denies Promising Benefits Racket Leader To Clear Him Of Charges If He ‘Fires Lawyer Jason Azzopardi’
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has “categorically” and “vehemently” denied allegations made by an alleged ringleader in a social benefits fraud case, who claimed he was assured he would not face prosecution if he dismissed his lawyer, Jason Azzopardi.
Yesterday, Roger Agius, one of the men facing charges of organising a social benefits fraud racket, said that he received a verbal message from someone external on behalf of the OPM, assuring him he wouldn’t be charged if he “got rid” of Jason Azzopardi as his lawyer.
Agius made these claims while speaking to radio host Andrew Azzopardi on RTK103.
Earlier today, in a statement to Lovin Malta, the OPM called the allegation “false”, adding that it was “nothing but a blatant lie which Mr Agius is perpetrating to try and divert and obstruct the course of justice in the proceedings pending against him.”
The OPM went on to say that “a number of people accused of participating in the organisation of the alleged offences, assisted by lawyers other than Dr Jason Azzopardi, were also arraigned in connection with this case, and no alleged organiser of these offences was spared the course of justice.”
The Prime Minister’s Office further stated that upon becoming aware of “a suspected wrongdoing”, swift action was immediately taken, “without any fear or favour”, as the said alleged offences were immediately reported to the Executive Police.
“Following the relative investigations which ensued upon the filing of that report, the Police then filed charges against a number of individuals, where criminal proceedings are now pending before the Courts of Justice,” the OPM statement read.
It went on to say that “Jason Azzopardi and his client should stop playing media stunts, and if they are indeed convinced of what they are stating, they should bring to the attention of the presiding Magistrate or the Executive Police the name of the alleged individual.”
The OPM then said that until Azzopardi and his client substantiate their allegation, “they both remain complicit in trying to divert the course of justice.”
“This is how justice should proceed, and not with media stunts intended to skew and manipulate public opinion,” the statement continued.
Yesterday, Azzopardi took to social media to confirm what Agius recounted during the radio show, writing, “I can confirm and testify to the fact that what Roger Agius said today is true: Prime Minister Robert Abela sent him several messages” saying that if Agius fires Azzopardi as his lawyer, he “will not be charged.”
Who do you think is telling the truth?
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