Mistra case: applicant says had no connection to project

The person who submitted the application for the development on Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's land in Mistra has told a court that he had no connection with the plans and had only submitted the application on behalf of the developer, Dominic Micallef, in order to reduce the possibility of sabotage by other people involved in the entertainment business.

Ian Sultana, who submitted the application for an open air disco, said he never met former DCC Board chairman Anthony Mifsud or member Philip Azzopardi, who stand charged with trading in influence.

During the same court hearing yesterday, a former planning board chairman said it was normal for applicants and their architects to discuss problems directly with board members before a hearing in order to come to an "amicable agreement".

Paul Borg said: "I felt it my duty to try and sort out any problems with the project since it costs a lot of time and money".

The controversy centres on a preliminary permit for an open-air disco, which the board had issued for a protected piece of land that belongs to Nationalist backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

Not referring to this particular case, Mr Borg testified that meetings between board members and applicants ahead of public hearings, such as those held between the two accused, Dr Pullicino Orlando and the applicant, were normal fare at the planning authority. "We always felt that if there was an application that could be rectified and improved we would do it", he said.

Asked if he was ever pressured by politicians, he said he was but, then, everyone would try to put pressure on the board.

Police Inspector Angelo Gafà asked him whether there was any instance where he had made a decision about a development and was then pushed by a politician to change his mind. He replied: "Everyone tries to impress you but I cannot remember whether I was ever influenced in that way... I would never change my mind on a whim if a politician told me to do so".

Defence lawyer Joseph Giglio enquired about the nature of the meetings between applicants and the board. Mr Borg said they would consist of "open discussions with suggestions made from both sides about how the project could be improved".

Concluding his testimony, Mr Borg spoke very highly of Mr Mifsud, whom he said he had known for years: "He is a man of integrity and very professional".

Lawyers Stephen Tonna Lowell and Peter Fenech also appeared for the accused.