Man admits taking money over job promise
A man yesterday told a court how he took money from a couple to help them find a job and used the cash to pay off debts he had accumulated when he fell victim to usury. Francis Mizzi admitted that, although he had told the couple that he would forward...
A man yesterday told a court how he took money from a couple to help them find a job and used the cash to pay off debts he had accumulated when he fell victim to usury.
Francis Mizzi admitted that, although he had told the couple that he would forward the money to Net TV sports journalist Robert Cutajar, he never approached Mr Cutajar.
Mr Mizzi was testifying, before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, in the compilation of evidence against Triza Grima who is pleading not guilty to making false allegations against Mr Cutajar on June 1, at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The prosecution is claiming Ms Grima had falsely accused Mr Cutajar of taking Lm500 from her and her boyfriend to find her boyfriend a job as a soldier in the Armed Forces.
In his testimony yesterday, Mr Mizzi explained how he got to know Ms Grima and her boyfriend about three years ago when the couple asked him to help them find a job.
He explained that at the time there were vacancies for soldiers and Ms Grima's boyfriend had asked for a job as a soldier.
Mr Mizzi said he told the couple he would try to help them out and asked for a money gift that ranged between Lm300 and Lm500. He could not recall the exact amount.
He told the couple he would ask Mr Cutajar to help them with the job and that he would forward the money they gave him to Mr Cutajar.
But he kept the money and never spoke to Mr Cutajar about the couple. He never gave Mr Cutajar any money and Mr Cutajar was not aware of what he was doing.
He knew Mr Cutajar because he (Mr Cutajar) hosted a television programme and worked as a sports journalist (on Net TV). Mr Cutajar occasionally gave him tickets to attend billiard games.
Asked why he had taken the money, he explained that at the time he was going through a bad patch and needed money. He had borrowed money and fallen victim to usury. Since then he has paid the money back to Ms Grima and her boyfriend.
Lawyer Edward Gatt appeared for Ms Grima.
Police Inspector Angelo Gafa prosecuted.