Gaming employee accused of €198,000 fraud

A former gaming company employee was yesterday charged with defrauding the company he worked for of almost €200,000 in less than two years on the job.

Vincent Vella, 28, was accused of money laundering, misappropriation and defrauding the company of €198,000.

His activities were allegedly noticed last weekend. The police believe he would transfer money to himself from the company, diverting it from money owed by clients.

His administrative position as a clerk over the past two years would have allowed him to carry out this alleged scam unhindered, sources said.

During yesterday's arraignment, Mr Vella pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody. Parte civile lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran asked the court to ban the publication of the company's name to limit the damage it had already suffered, a request upheld by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli. Police Inspectors Ivan Cilia and Anna Maria Micallef prosecuted.

Lawyers Gianluca Caruana Curran, Steve Tonna Lowell and Joseph Giglio also appeared for the company.