Two prison sentences confirmed, one reduced, in judges bribery case
Two men who had been convicted and sentenced to jail for bribing judges had their sentences confirmed today while a third had his prison term reduced.
Mario Camilleri also known as l-imnieħru and his son Pierre who were jailed for four years and three years respectively, had their sentences confirmed.
Anthony Grech Sant had his prison sentence reduced by the Court of Criminal Appeal from three years to 20 months because he had no other criminal record and because he was only involved in the bribery of one judge.
The original sentences were delivered in October last year. The cases involved the alleged bribery of then Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and the bribery of Mr Justice Patrick Vella.
The case sent shock waves through the islands after the secret service flagged it up during an investigation into drug trafficking in 2002.
The information was that a 16-year jail term, handed down to Mr Camilleri for drug trafficking, on appeal had been reduced by the two judges sitting in the Criminal Court of Appeal after they allegedly accepted a Lm10,000 bribe.
In March 2007, Dr Vella pleaded guilty to the charges and was given a two-year jail term which he has served.
His conviction followed that of Joseph Zammit, known as is-Sei, who a year earlier had admitted to bribing Dr Vella and former Chief Justice Arrigo.
Dr Arrigo is still out on bail awaiting trial.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
6 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Joseph Borg
Aug 1st 2009, 01:15
There was a case in the 80's in the USA where two policemen were found guilty of accepting money from the area's drug lords. There were given a life sentence with the possibility of parole; meaning a minimum of 20yrs behind bars, generally.
Now I leave it to you to compare and contrast.
Bill Khan
Jul 31st 2009, 11:57
Yes, Justice ought to be blind and seen to be blind. But in some cases it is often left to.... drag behind. Conveniently.
Elaine Vella
Jul 31st 2009, 09:38
jail sentences confirmed and another reduced? I don't believe what I read. It's not fair. They should have been punished for their deeds. They should have their time in jail increased and not confirmed or reduced!!! Corruption!! Only in Malta!!!
r ferriggi
Jul 31st 2009, 08:27
i believe that this case,,,,,, if ever there was one,,,was the one which literally has taken the breath out of every maltese citizen.
it is the lowest of the bottom of the pits that we as a nation have reached.
it has confirmed also that the law courts are we have always suspected them to be.
i leave that to your imagination.this case confirmed that our wild imagination really exists.
Mike Farrugia
Jul 30th 2009, 17:04
Why is Dr. Arrigo's trial taking so long to begin? wasn't he scheduled to start 1 month after Dr. Vella's? The month has passed now!
Anthony Magri
Jul 30th 2009, 15:57
When will ex Chief Justice case come up for hearing? Justice ought to blind, and seen to be blind.