Noel Arrigo found guilty on all charges
Former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo was this afternoon found guilty of bribery, trading in influence and revealing official secrets in what will be remembered as a black day in the history of the Judiciary in Malta. Sentence will be delivered later today after submissions by the prosecution and the defence.
The verdict was delivered to a packed, silent hall by Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo who presided over a week-long trial held without jurors. The hearings ended on Thursday. After sentence was delivered and Dr Arrigo was moved to a holding cell at the back of the court room, several members of his family burst into tears.
Dr Arrigo, who resigned shortly after the allegations against him surfaced, had been accused of accepting a bribe of €11,650 when he reduced the jail term of drug trafficker Mario Camilleri from 16 to 12 years after an appeal in July 2002. He was also accused of trading in influence by trying to influence the other judges on the appeals court, and betraying state secrets when he revealed the court sentence before it was delivered.
The toughest fight during the trial was over the bribery charge, which Dr Arrigo arguing that his actions were not influenced by any gift since the sentence was in line with discussions held between the defence and the prosecution, and the money, which he had not wanted, was given to him after the sentence was communicated and not before.
"If I had to re-write that judgement a hundred times, I would do it the same way," he said when testifying.
The prosecution insisted that Dr Arrigo should immediately have disclosed the contacts he had had about the appeal case and the offers of money.
During the trial Dr Arrigo admitted to having revealed the court sentence before it was delivered, but his lawyers said they had reservations over whether a judgement qualified as an official secret.
All those involved in the corruption case, including former judge Patrick Vella, were jailed. Dr Vella, who admitted to accepting €23,000 in exchange for reducing Mr Camilleri's jail term, was sentenced to two years in March 2007.
26 Comments
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Karin Becker
Jan 1st 2010, 01:29
I have known Noel for almost 40 years, and I know in my heart that he would never have done anything wrong, had he not been forced to it, for some reason or another, I have never met any more decent man in my life, and I feel sorry for his family and all his friends who think the same of him as I do.
Love to you all.
Karin
G Borg
Nov 26th 2009, 20:59
Noel Arrigo tainted the judicial system. He got what he deserved. Justice for all.
L.Ciappara
Nov 26th 2009, 08:06
@B.Galea. I agree with you 100%. Who's straight? You? Me?
marthese m ussett
Nov 26th 2009, 06:59
Ghala qed tithassruh?Hu mhux ukoll baghat hatjin il habs?Li kieku ma nqabadx, seta kien jaghmel aghar.
M. Avellino
Nov 25th 2009, 19:08
I felt saddened watching Dr Arrigo in the prison van. Imagine yourself from that position to the prison van on the way to prison. Not easy, but then justice has to be done. If not, we will end up with a Maltese Mafia where criminals prevail and dictate.
Frank Portelli 2BFRANK
Nov 25th 2009, 17:07
@ Paul Bonnici
Paul - my remarks on Patrick Vella were made after he was found guilty, and indeed had served his sentence - which was the price he had to pay to our society for his declared guilt.
I have made no remarks on Noel Arrigo --as yet.
I will say however that our system of Justice appears to be working and in our country we should be proud to know that --- No One is above the Law
12/7/2008
Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(Ed)
Patrick Vella has paid the price that our society demanded for his guilt.
As you say he apologised unconditionally and declared he was sorry for the damage he caused.
The sin was terrible - and the price according to the law of the land
Now Patrick Vella needs to heal and to reintegrate into our society.
He needs all the space and assistance possible
Essentially a good man - who faltered and slipped … and with the grace of God has redeemed himself
Like many other human beings
Dr Frank Portelli
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080712/local/ex-judge-in-bribery-case-leaves-jail-after-16-months
B Galea
Nov 25th 2009, 12:49
@ L Ciappara 'Tomorrow, it could be me' ?? WHAT?
It could only be you if you BROKE THE LAW and were guilty of corruption. The sympathy amongst the comments is ludicrous - this was our CHIEF JUSTICE, the head of the judiciary, ostensibly the closest post to a King Solomon.
I would have more sympathy with Dr Arrigo if he was found guilty of drug trafficking, theft, assault or even indecent exposure. There is little worse than a chief justice being BRIBED to shift a judgement. This man has not only tainted himself, he has tainted the entire foundations upon which our judicial system is based.
Daniel Vella
Nov 25th 2009, 12:20
I agree with Mr. J Borg. Why are people feeling sorry when he was found guilty?
Bl-istess raġunament, kull min jinsab jittraffika d-droga għandna naħfrulu għax kulħadd jagħmel żball...
L.Ciappara
Nov 25th 2009, 11:23
Everybody is human and everyone is subject for mistakes. Tomorrow, could be me
stephanie theuma
Nov 25th 2009, 11:03
@Mary Pisani
I do not see much sorrow from your side to this family, you should have kept this opinion to yourself knowing his family as you said you do, you have inflicted much more pain to this very good family.
Portelli James
Nov 25th 2009, 09:06
@ S. Florian
Well said Mr. Florian.
"There can be no peace without justice. Justice means nothing without forgiveness." John Paul II
Joseph Borg
Nov 25th 2009, 09:04
@all
Jiena niskanta u nitnixxef kif kultant nitkellmu kif jaqbel lilna...mela bniedem li jkun inqabad b tuzzana pirmli jew zewg joints jew jisraq 100euro nigu hawn nikkundanawh u nghidu biex naghtu ezempju bieh bil kemm kemm mhux inhaggruh ukoll imbghad ghax min hu involut huwa persuna distinta mill kummenti taghkom bil kemm kemm ma nghidulux miskin u nixghelulu xemgha!
Jiena ma niggudika lill hadd...pero la il-gurija sabitu hati ghalija jista jkun censu tal pastizzi u jista jkun san domenico savio ghax ghandu jinghata kastig li jkun haqqu.
Min jaf kieku l istess "zball" ghamiltu jiena ezempju li ma jafni hadd? nahseb kollha kontu tigu hawn tghiduli miskin u titolbu ghalija!!.
Il-ligi qieghda hemm biex tigi osservata MIN KULHADD mil kbir saz-zghir minghajr distinzjoni jekk veru irridu li nibqaw nemmnu fid demokrazzija u fil gustizja...il hajja kuljum dik hi...tizballja u tpatti ghal izbalji.
To err is human to forgive is divine...well said but I would just add that everyone must pay for his own mistakes otherwise we will end up living in a jungle!
Joseph Ellul
Nov 25th 2009, 04:29
This man held the highest position in Justice. He erred seriously and it is right to be sentenced accordingly enough to convince the public that he was not above the law, and have everyone believe in the judicial system and the Polcie Force for bringing him to justice.Remember all he was the King Solomon of malta and all his decisions were never to be wrong.
The sentence should be equal or greater to the deterrence against corruption.
ray sacco
Nov 24th 2009, 23:49
go tell that families of drug victims mr. florian and co! yes, everybody make mistakes, and everybody pay for their mistakes. you can ask the families of drug addicts how much and how long they've paid. so stop feeling sorry as if he was a martyr!
clive borg
Nov 24th 2009, 23:02
@ Stephen Florian
yes we can gudge him cos we didn't make his mistake...
its not the point that he made the mistake, its the point that he was the Judiciary of Malta, he was there to lead by example, if he accepted money its a fact that he now has to pay for what he has done..
still can you now trust the judiciary in malta after this case! he has to pay for it cos he is the first one that was tempted by money to reduce a jail term.
Paul Bonnici
Nov 24th 2009, 22:39
This is what Dr Frank Portelli said about Patrick Vella the other convicted criminal on his release from prison, I wonder what Dr Portelli has to say about the other convicted criminal Arrigo now!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080712/local/ex-judge-in-bribery-case-leaves-jail-after-16-months
Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(Ed) (on 12/7/08)
Patrick Vella has paid the price that our society demanded for his guilt .
As you say he apologised unconditionally and declared he was sorry for the damage he caused.
The sin was terrible - and the price according to the law of the land
Now Patrick Vella needs to heal and to reintegrate into our society.
He needs all the space and assistance possible
Essentially a good man - who faltered and slipped … and with the grace of God has redeemed himself
Like many other human beings
Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(Ed)
Alfred Fenech
Nov 24th 2009, 21:22
In my humble opinion , the man and his family have gone through hell and back. I think being the man that he is, He has been tormented enough and will always feal the remorse for his deeds. His concience will forever suffer and that will scar his life. At this time my thoughts and prayers are with him and his Dear Family.
Stephen Florian
Nov 24th 2009, 19:17
Who are we to judge ? Hasn't this man suffered enough throughout all these years in waiting? Yes he has committed a grave mistake, but then who is infallible ? It would be wise to lure him back into the correct path of justice and make of him a defender of truth and righteousness,after all what is justice all about ? It would be unwise to let him succumb under the weight of his own rank,it would be holy to let him stand on his own two feet again, and move on. To err is human, but to forgive is divine. A humane society stands to gain if it decides wisely.This man should be the subject of our prayers at this difficult time and not the main topic of our gossip.
smifsud
Nov 24th 2009, 16:44
Guilty as charged!!!.....now lets see if the sentence fits the crime ?????
Julian Caruana
Nov 24th 2009, 16:27
@ MR Galea. Very well said indeed. Allow me to add one more thing.
Min mhux hati jitfa l ewwel gebla.
In my opinion I dont think he was guilty judging by the way the times reported the case. I think he was the victim of a serious of events which his only guilt is to let these events get out of control especially when Mr Grech Sant was involved.
D Fenech
Nov 24th 2009, 15:41
@ Vincent Galea
Beautifully expressed.
Vincent Galea
Nov 24th 2009, 15:22
Life itself is a series of trials.
Such is human nature when temptation stares a person in the face, no one can guarantee what he will do. Especially if the temptation is there day after day.
No one even the righteous is free from temptation. It is a powerful force and no one is immune from it. The greater the person ,the stronger is his evil inclination and greater is his glory when he suceeds in the struggle.
The key is not to underestimate the power of temptation.. Once we come to believe, that we are above temptation., the crouching Temptor rises up and entraps us. Certain people because they have achieved a certain status nothing untoward them can ever happen to them
Pride is the precursor of man's fall.
As on one wise man said : When I was young, I wanted to improve the entire world, as I grew older I wanted to improve my country, later I wanted to improve my village and still later my family . But now that I'm very old I would be most happy if I would only improve my own self
.......the place to begin is in the mirror.
Christopher Grainger
Nov 24th 2009, 15:10
So, this gentleman through his actions and example underpinned every dodgy practice, and every bent official during his time in office.
The sentencing should reflect that.
JAFarrugia
Nov 24th 2009, 14:49
A bit premature to say Justice has been done till you know what the actual sentence is.
J Pisani
Nov 24th 2009, 14:31
Justice Served.
We should not tolerate corruption especially from those who are in such powers.
Mary Pisani
Nov 24th 2009, 13:41
I feel saddened as i know his family and feel so sorry for them to have to go through this. However i am glad that Justice has been done. What this man did was totally unacceptable. IT was a shock for the Maltese citizens. If he had not been found guilty who would we trust then?!?!