Borg Olivier says he told projects manager to contact police on claims against Mayor
PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier told a court today that he had advised the former Projects Manager at Sliema local council to speak to the police and to a lawyer after he claimed that then Mayor Nikki Dimech had demanded money from him.
Dr Borg Olivier was among those who gave evidence during the continuation of the compilation of evidence against Mr Dimech, who is accused of seeking a bribe in order to renew Stephen Buhagiar's contract as projects manager.
Dr Borg Olivier said that after Mr Buhagiar's contract with the council was terminated, Mr Buhagiar spoke to him and made allegations about Mr Dimech.
He immediately advised him to speak to a lawyer and the police.
Dr Borg Oivier said he also raised the matter with the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Chris Said, who launched an investigation.
Alseia Borg, an assistant principal at Sliema Council, said that Mr Buhagiar's work was never discussed in the council during the six months of his probation period, but at one time, as the probation period came to its end, the Mayor phoned her to say he could not preside over a council meeting. He also asked her to tell the Deputy Mayor to raise the issue of whether the contract should be renewed.
PC Francis Rogers, who administers the cells at police headquarters, was asked questions in view of reports of mistreatment of Mr Dimech while in police custody.
He said that he had decided to put Mr Dimech in a cell with a door formed of iron bars because such cells had more air than those cells with normal doors with a hatch.
Mr Dimech appeared nervous but normal in the circumstances
At one time Mr Dimech asked him for his inhaler.
The police contacted a friend of Mr Dimech and the mayor's girlfriend turned up with an inhaler, which was immediately handed to Mr Dimech.
When the Mayor was called up for interrogation, , PC Rogers said he gave the inhaler to one of the escorting officers to ensure it was easily available, should it be needed.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said and the Director of the Local Council Department, Martin Bugelli, also gave evidence where they confirmed that Mr Buhagiar had sent them an e-mail claiming irregularities by the Mayor. The claims were passed on for investigation.
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Victor Vella
Dec 22nd 2010, 06:55
All saints day passed last November. Perhaps thinking for 2011 more holy than holier. Jahasra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mario salnitro
Dec 21st 2010, 08:34
This is just a political set up punto e basta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emanuel Farrugia
Dec 21st 2010, 06:22
Ipokritizmu tas-soltu u dahk bic-cittadini.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 20th 2010, 17:42
@ Emanuel Farrugia. You’ve got it all wrong. Mr.Dimech is not obliged to prove his innocence; it’s the court’s onus to prove his guilt. The court expects the accused to plead not guilty and there’s no swearing of oath before a plea is submitted. Mr.Dimech would only be subjected to an oath if he freely volunteers to stand in the witness box.
Paul Borg
Dec 20th 2010, 17:21
The proof is in the Pudding, and therefor one has to see and hear from witnesses details of Mr Buhagiar's performance within his post. If there was no case for dismissal, than it leaves the question of why the Mayor wanted to get rid of him !! Maybe this case will help root out situations like this in other councils.
Emanuel Farrugia
Dec 20th 2010, 16:17
If Mr. Dimech does not accept the accusation of bribery, then in this case. it looks like its going to be the word of Mr. Dimech against that of Mr. Buhagiar. Obviously they cannot both be right. So they would both do well to remember that if they testify, they will both be under oath which means they will have kissed the cross or the bible and sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God. That goes for everybody else. So if one of them lies, its perjury.
Charles Micallef
Dec 20th 2010, 15:55
@ Dennis Attard
just wait and see!
Charles Micallef
Dec 20th 2010, 14:32
This whole charade stinks of Politics and Political Manipulation of one sort or another!
Viva id-Democrazija alla Maltija!
Denis Attard
Dec 20th 2010, 15:32
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT CONCLUSION? WHY THIS STEREOTYPED ATTITUDE?
T Camilleri
Dec 20th 2010, 17:20
Denis Attard keep on joking Denis.
H Dempster
Dec 20th 2010, 14:19
Since the removal of the previous mayor (Nikki Dimech) whom i have never met, sliema has become a complete disaster and is the dirtiest place in Malta. It seems that the constract signed between the new mayor and the rubbish company was a complete flop. One sees rubbish all around our Sliema streets eversince and on many occasion this rubbish is not ever collected.
Frans Attard
Dec 20th 2010, 14:09
Since this whole story started, Mr. Buhagiar has not named a single person who can testify that he heard Mr. Dimech demanding a bribe from him.
Joe Cordina
Dec 20th 2010, 14:27
@ Frans Attard...and who is that stupid to demand a bribe in the presence of another witness !!!!!!
Frans Attard
Dec 20th 2010, 15:00
Sur Cordina, tista tghidli kif tista tikkundanna bniedem meta min ghamel rapport kontrieh m'ghandu l-ebda forma ta' xhiedha? Mela dan ma jistax ikun li gideb? Li jitla Paul Borg Olivier jixhed li qal lil 'project manager' biex jikkuntatja lill-pulizija, ghalija hu hela tal-hin tal-qorti.
Mhux ta' b'xejn idumu hafna l-kawzi l-qorti.