Cleared of making false allegation

A woman was yesterday cleared of making false allegations against a sports television journalist after a magistrate ruled she had not acted maliciously.

Triza Grima was cleared of making false allegations against Robert Cutajar on June 1 at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera noted that the case started when Ms Grima and her fiancé went to the OPM and alleged she had paid Lm500 for her fiancé to be given a job with the Armed Forces of Malta.

Evidence against Ms Grima indicated that she had paid Francis Mizzi, known as Pluto, Lm500 so that he would make arrangements for her fiancé, Lee Anthony Degiorgio, to get a job with the army.

Mr Mizzi told her he would pass the money on to Net TV sports journalist Mr Cutajar, who also worked at the OPM.

However, Mr Mizzi then admitted that he never handed the money to Mr Cutajar and did not even speak to him about it. Mr Mizzi said he took the money because he had financial problems and Mr Cutajar was in no way involved in the matter.

The magistrate noted it had also resulted that Ms Grima never filed a police report but took the "disgusting information" she had to the OPM, as was her duty.

It seemed she had acted prudently and with no ulterior motive, although she could have verified the information communicated to her before passing it on.

For these reasons she was cleared of the charges brought against her.

Police Inspector Angelo Gafà prosecuted.

Lawyer Edward Gatt appeared for Ms Grima.