Confesses to bribery

A former private secretary to the Finance Minister yesterday confessed to receiving cheques for waiving fees related to under declared property deals.

Noel Borg Hedley, 67, of Gżira was conditionally discharged and perpetually interdicted.

He pleaded guilty to receiving bribes from property developers JPM Brothers Ltd between April and July 2008 to reduce or waive fees connected to under declaration of property deals and which were regulated by departments that fell under the Finance Ministry.

Mr Borg Hedley was conditionally discharge for three years and was granted a perpetual general interdiction, meaning he would not be able to hold public office or employment and would also lose his right to vote.

Magistrate Edwina Grima said she took into consideration the fact that the accused had a clean police record and had admitted at an early stage of the proceedings.

JPM is the same company that had been engaged by Mr Fenech to carry out works on his Balzan residence in 2009. The company had eventually subcontracted the works to Rainbow Projects, whose director, Charles Magro, later claimed he was told the works were a “favour” to the minister by JPM Brothers. Mr Fenech vehemently denied this and sued Mr Magro, among others, for libel. The matter is still in court.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared for Mr Borg Hedley.