Malta Enterprise Confirms Complaint Was Received With Internal Investigation Finding ‘No Basis’ In Claim
Malta Enterprise (ME) has confirmed that it received a complaint about the alleged editing of investment committee minutes and incentive packages by current Chief Operating Officer Jesmond Silvio.
However, in a right of reply issued to Lovin Malta, ME said that its Chairman had informed the Board about the accusations and explained the established facts, who in turn found that the claims were “unfounded”.
On the claims themselves, which detailed how essentially incentive packages were changed regardless of how the board voted, Lovin Malta was told that the editing merely took place on a draft copy and was in no way an official document.
The newsroom had previously reported how the alleged whistleblower complaint was unaccounted for at ME, but the corporation insists that the disclosure, while considered and reviewed by ME, was also not in line with the corporation’s Whistleblower Policy and Procedure.
“Moreover, the Corporation categorically denies any attempts of suppression of complaints by the Chief Executive Officer of Malta Enterprise as these were duly taken into consideration by the Board of the Corporation,” a statement read.
It is understood that official complaints must be submitted through a form and must be addressed to ME’s whistleblower ombudsman. However, given that Silvio served as the ombudsman at the time, sources were required to submit their complaint to the Chairman. An email seen by Lovin Malta asking for formal whistleblower protection was not considered as an official request.
Lovin Malta has since requested a copy of the document detailing the procedure, however, the request has been unforthcoming.
Prior to the initial publication, ME had said they were “unable to confirm or otherwise” whether anyone had even been found to edit minutes of either the investment committee or the board since 2013.
Sources have stuck by their claims, adding that they followed all necessary whistleblower procedures as outlined by officials in the authority.
The newsroom has also sought to seek clarification over what exactly transpired in specific meetings, however, IC and Board minute meetings are hidden behind various confidentiality regulations.
A full right of reply can be found here.
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