Unemployed Birkirkara Man Caught Gambling Half A Million Euros While Receiving €60,000 In Social Benefits
A 48-year-old man from Birkirkara received a suspended prison sentence and was fined €38,000 after being found guilty of money laundering and breaching court sentences.
As reported by TVM, Patrick Gatt has been charged with laundering money from January 2010 to January 2020.
The police initiated their investigation after information was received that Gatt was gambling upwards of €300,000 in casinos even though he was unemployed and not declaring any income with the Income Tax Department.
Police investigations showed evidence of Gatt gambling over €491,090 from illegal resources.
Casino agents stated that Gatt always gambled using cash. Moreover, when a Portomaso official presented him with a form to declare the source of the money he was gambling with, Gatt tore the paper.
A representative from the Department of Social Security testified in court that between 2010 and 2020, Gatt received €59,791 in social security benefits.
An agent from JobsPlus stated that Gatt was unemployed during the time he was indicted with money laundering.
A representative from Transport Malta stated that during the period questioned by the court Gatt owned up to seven cars, including a Mercedes and a BMW.
Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech considered the fact Gatt suffered from a gambling addiction, in fact, he has gambled away almost half a million euros in 10 years – where he only won €15,000 in return.
‘‘Here we have a clear example that those who lie will always be caught, and this continued to work against the accused’s credibility and trustworthiness,’’ added magistrate Frendo
Gatt also suffered from a drug addiction problem which had consumed his life along with his gambling habit.
Being found guilty, Gatt has been ordered to return €491,090 to the government – on top of his 2-year sentence in jail suspended for 4 years and a €38,000 fine.
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