ADT 'willing to retain' examiners depending on court judgment

The Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is willing to continue employing two driving examiners, who recently admitted to accepting bribes, depending on the judgment handed down by the court, their lawyer said yesterday.

Lawyer Kris Busietta told Magistrate Miriam Hayman that the authority would not sack his clients, who were currently suspended, depending on the judgement she handed down.

Jason Buttigieg, 33, of Birkirkara and Roderick Galea, 30, of Marsascala have pleaded guilty to accepting money to carry out their job on and before May.

The law lays down that if a public officer requests, receives or accepts any reward in connection with his office or employment he will be guilty of bribery.

Dr Busietta yesterday asked the magistrate to appoint a probation officer to compile a report on his clients. He explained that the probation officer would help the court have a clear picture of what the case really involved.

Mr Buttigieg and Mr Galea are claiming that they only accepted money, ranging between Lm10 and Lm50, to pass driving test applicants who deserved to pass. They are denying licensing any undeserving students. Police Inspector Angelo Gafà, prosecuting, objected to the appointment of a probation officer arguing that it was uncalled for in this case.

Magistrate Hayman turned down the request.

Mr Buttigieg and Mr Galea both took the witness stand yesterday and read out the statements they released to the police.

They both confirmed the statements in which they said that they accepted small amounts of money from Saviour Abela, the owner of Swallow Motoring School.

They said they would be donating the money, which they obtained through bribery, to charity.

They also insisted that they never passed any students who did not deserve to and explained how, in return for Mr Abela's money, if a student committed a serious mistake they would stop the test even though procedure laid down that all exam time ought to be used. In so doing Mr Abela saved money on fuel and the car's wear and tear.

The case was put off to September 6 when Magistrate Hayman is expected to hear submissions on punishment before passing judgment.