Mistra: Police found no corruption by former MTA official

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla told a court today that the police in their investigations into the Mistra disco development case had found no evidence of corruption, money changing hands, or trading in influence involving former Malta Tourism Authority consultant George Micallef.

Mr Micallef, 48 of St Julians, is pleading not guilty to making a false declaration on and before October last year.

Replying to questions by defence counsel Stephen Tonna Lowell, the inspector explained that the police had launched investigations into the granting of a MEPA outline permit for the disco following requests by the Prime Minister and the then Leader of the Opposition.

He explained that applications for developments which had a bearing on tourism, such as this, needed to be accompanied by a tourism compliance certificate. The certificate was issued in November 2005, well before Mr Micallef wrote a report to the MTA regarding the use of Mistra for tourism purposes.

The inspector said Mr Micallef was not part of the MTA when he wrote a report to the developers.