AG to decide if criminal steps should be taken
Inquiry focused on allegations by President’s public relations officer
The government is seeking the Attorney General’s advice on what criminal action, if any, could be taken against a former top Presidential aide who was investigated for allegedly leaking documents to the press.
Alfred Fiorini Lowel, who conducted the inquiry ordered by the government, preferred not to comment yesterday, saying he did not want his words to be misinterpreted.
Nor did the person being investigated, Olaf Terribile, who until recently was the handpicked head of secretariat to President George Abela.
A spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that the inquiry was concluded and the findings were now at the Attorney General for his “advice”.
The inquiry focused on allegations made by the President’s public relations officer, Marica Mizzi who said that during a dinner she had been told that Mr Terribile gave confidential documents to journalists. The person Ms Mizzi said had given her the information later denied saying Mr Terribile had given him any documents.
Government sources said the Attorney General was asked for advice on whether there was any basis for criminal action in view of the Fiorini Lowell inquiry findings.
During a press conference at the beginning of the month, the President said his office had compiled an official report on the matter which would be submitted to the inquiry board.
Dr Abela said he did not know what the “leaked” documents were about but was worried about the interpretation being given to them.
The press conference was held in reaction to a series of newspaper reports alleging that Mr Terribile left his post after flagging financial irregularities.
Dr Abela rejected the accusation that his office was being extravagant and said that an audiovisual department within the Community Chest Fund on which some of the news items centred, was set up to save money on the subcontracting of audiovisual material during events like the annual marathon TV charity fund-raising campaign L-Istrina.
The Community Chest Fund employed Noel Pace and Fabian Mizzi at the audiovisual department and questions arose because they happened to be directors at the production company Image 2000 where the President’s spokesman is also a director.