Caruana Galizia hits out at Magistrate Scerri Herrera
File pictures: Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera and Daphne Caruana-Galizia.
Columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia hit out at Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera and her links to certain policemen, politicians and journalists in lengthy testimony in court today.
Mrs Caruana Galizia was testifying in the defamation case instituted against her by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera.
She stands charged with defaming the Magistrate in a series of blog posts claiming the magistrate had acted improperly in her private life. The posts, which began in January, set tongues wagging after making a number of serious allegations such as the magistrate having been in the company of drug users at parties.
In two previous sittings, Magistrate Scerri Herrera categorically denied ever having been in the presence of drug users at any of her parties, which she threw for philanthropic causes.
SITUATION WAS 'OUT OF HAND'
Mrs Caruana Galizia said she started writing about Magistrate Scerri Herrera because the situation had become 'completely out of hand'. She had not written anything before because she had had pending cases before the Magistrate.
She said the Magistrate started annoying her from the minute she started getting heavily involved with politicians (tithawwad bil-kbir).
During the Magistrate's 45th birthday parties, the Nationalist MPs who were present were the ones who always caused problems for the government - Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Jesmond Mugliett. Mrs Caruana Galizia said she also knew Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, he used to give her stories. Jeffrey and Carmen had told her that Robert Musumeci (Scerri Herrera's partner) had held a birthday party where the leader of the opposition Joseph Muscat was invited. How could a PN candidate invite the leader of the opposition to his birthday party?
The Magistrate, on facebook, was also friends with Ronnie Pellegrini, a person who Mrs Caruana Galizia described as 'zibel' from the 1980s.
Mrs Caruana Galizia said she had known Scerri Herrera for 30 years, and that was why she was not her friend. They were in the same group at sixth form, but they went their separate ways at University. When they were in their 30s, they met up for lunches regularly every two months. She had also been invited by her former husband to a surprise birthday party at a restaurant Chez Philip.
Mrs Caruana Galizia said she was placed on a chair next to Judge Farrugia Sacco, which, she said, was 'unsavoury'. At one time she went to the toilet. There she saw two of the guests using drugs, and she immediately left.
Mrs Caruana Galizia said Magistrate Scerri Herrera lacked decorum. She had had an extra-marital affair with Police Inspector Dominic Micallef, who served as a prosecutor before her. He is now a superintendent.
Mrs Caruana Galizia said Inspector Micallef had colluded with Magistrate Scerri-Herrera by trying to hide love letters.
She said the Magistrate had received the letters from the officer. She tried to hide them from her husband by giving them to a friend of hers. The reason why the Magistrate had taken so long to reply to the allegations she made in her blog was because she was trying to get her hands on the letter, to make sure they were not leaked.
Mrs Caruana Galizia said officers had been sent to her house to make sure she turned up for interrogation regarding this case. She believed this move by the police was the result of collusion by the Magistrate and the officer in question.
At one time, Caruana Galizia said, four policemen had turned up at her own home to make sure she appeared in a court libel case the following morning. She suspected that they were sent by Supt. Micallef in order to discourage her from getting her hands on these letters.
Caruana Galizia referred to an earlier sitting, where Scerri Herrera had denied that Supt Michael Cassar had sent wine to her table during lunch. It was actually 'corrupt' former Police Inspector Patrick Spiteri who had sent the wine, Caruana Galizia said. Mr Spiteri is currently undergoing criminal proceedings in court. Scerri Herrera had left the restaurant with him.
There was supposed to be separation of powers between the police and judiciary.
So how could Magistrate Scerri Herrera have accepted drinks from this person?" Caruana Galizia asked.
The Magistrate, she added, had 'no parameters'.
DRUGS
She knew that Scerri Herrera did not take drugs. Her comments about drug use were not against the Magistrate, but the people who went to the parties.
Scerri Herrera was putting herself in dangerous positions. Before a birthday party, Caruana Galizia said, she learnt that the wife of Meinrad Calleja, a convicted drug trafficker, was also going. Caruana Galizia said she decided not to go, but the magistrate was meant to go.
Instead of cutting back on her social life because she was a member of the judiciary, Magistrate Scerri Herrera had actually used her position to improve her social life. This went against the code of ethics of the judiciary. The code said that members of the judiciary should not court the media, yet Super One journalists such as Charlon Gouder and even the head of that station were friends of hers and were invited to her parties.
Caruana Galizia said she had not compared the Magistrate to former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo. God forbid that she took bribes. But that was how Noel Arrigo started.
Mrs Caruana Galizia exhibited various articles, one of them being an interview with First magazine in June 2008 which showed the Magistrate posing on a chair where she described how she cooked breakfast for her children and took tea to her husband - when everyone knew that she was having an extramarital affair.
Then Chief Justice Vincent DeGaetano had said that members of the judiciary should not reveal their private life. He had also said that their private life should not be the gossip of the town.
In another magazine, Scerri Herrera appeared on the front cover, with a member of the Spanish judiciary.
Another incident was when the Magistrate modelled jewellery and diamonds on a catwalk and then, years later, presided over a case involving theft from the same jewellery company.
facebook had revealed incriminating messages, Carauana Galizia said.
Scerri Herrera's daughter last year commented on facebook "I just got as Persian kitten from a client of my mother."
In another case, the daughter said "my mother's client, a mechanic, managed to fix my car for me".
JUDGEMENTS BY MAGISTRATE SCERRI HERRERA
Caruana Galizia said that Scerri Herrera had stood in judgement over the brother of her partner Robert Musumeci, and had acquitted him. She did not know whether this was done according to law or because she was sleeping with his brother. That was the problem. Justice had to be seen to be done.
Indeed, Caruana Galizia said, she had noticed, without making specific research, that most cases involving the legal office of the magistrate's brother Jose' ended with suspended jail terms and probationary periods, and she only found one where somebody was jailed. This, she said, was shocking.
Furthermore, Caruana Galizia said, how could President George Abela judge Scerri Herrera in his capacity of president of the Commission for the Administration of Justice when his son Robert and his wife Lydia were friends of Scerri Herrera and went to her birthday party?
Caruana Galizia said she had mentioned Gianella Caruana Curren in her blogs because a defence lawyer should not be sending virtual flowers to a Magistrate on facebook when this lawyer appeared before her.
In the last sitting, Scerri Herrera said she worked hard for charity, when it was evident that the magistrate was using charity for publicity.
She then referred to another photo where TV personalities Moira Delia and Clare Agius were in a facebook photo gallery with the title - backstage shenanigans - Consuelo's birthday. True, the magistrate had no control of what appeared on facebook, but that was the point why she should be careful about her company.
There was a case, Carauana Galizia said, where a former PN candidate, Joe Borda, had a libel case before Scerri Herrera against Charlon Gouder and Jason Micallef. How would Borda feel seeing pictures of Gouder and Micallef at the Magistrate's birthday party?
In another case, the prime minister filed a case against the Labour Party over an election billboard. The case was presided by Scerri Herrera. How, then, could the magistrate invite Joseph Muscat to her house?
CROSS EXAMINATION
Under cross examination by lawyer Steve Tonna Lowell, Caruana Galizia said, about the judgements she had referred to, that she based herself on press reports and had not carried out further verification. She had not compared the sentences to those given by other Magistrates because in this case, the point was that Jose' Herrera was involved in these cases as defence counsel.
About her reference to Patrick Spiteri being 'corrupt' Caruana Galizia said she did not verify that his court case had been decided yet. The last time to Supt Michael Cassar, he told her it was still continuing.
When the lawyer told her that people were innocent until proven guilty, Caruana Galizia said that when the police arraigned somebody, especially a policeman, they had enough evidence.
On the case where Robert Musumeci's brother was acquitted, she did not know if an appeal had been filed by the Attorney General. Dr Tonna Lowell said no appeal had in fact been filed.
Caruana Galizia responded by asking if the AG knew that the magistrate had been sleeping with the brother of the accused.
Referring to her use of the words 'talcum powder' in the blogs, Caruana Galizia said this was an expression and not an euphemism for cocaine. That the magistrate used deodorant was just a throw-away line.
Dr Tonna Lowell said the timing of Caruana Galizia's blogs showed that she wanted to get revenge after the Magistrate allegedly aid something about her at a dinner party.
Caruana Galizia said two people at that dinner party were shocked by the Magistrate's behaviour and called her about it. These people were Lou Bondi' and Rachel Attard. They had gone to the toilet and called her, speaking of their shock at the look on the Magistrate's face when she spoke about her (Caruana Galizia).
The case was put off for more evidence.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
151 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Robert Sammut
Dec 20th 2011, 10:20
EFA said that no government should ever serve more than two terms (i.e. 10 years) Case in point, in the U.S., no president ever serves for more than 8 years. Why????
The answer is quite simple & can be clearly seen in the pitiful state of our legislature. It’s not so much the government that is washed out but rather the personnel that chair its institutions. Simply put, way too many people occupying top posts have done so for too long & corruption has inevitably seeped in. The PN cannot be squarely held responsible for this since in ’96, when labor returned to power, Alfred Sant retained many of the former administration’s figureheads. Not only was this to prove to be his downfall but ultimately the downfall of our beloved country.
Our prisons are the laughing stock of the EU and it only stands to reason that our law courts can’t be far behind if at all especially when you have members of the judiciary mingling with well known criminals or worst still, Magistrates preceding over court cases where either their direct relatives or their partners’ relatives are involved!!
It’s also not surprising in the least why the gap between the poor & the rich is on the increase which goes to explain why only a select few of individuals have gone from rags to riches. I’m positive that no one who is abreast of what’s going on in this country needs reminding who these individuals are.
Before I conclude I’d like to define the word, idiot. An idiot by definition is a person who errs & refuses to learn from his mistakes. Therefore my appeal to anyone in the helm who holds the salvation of our country close to heart, wake up & take the necessary action before we all plummet into oblivion!!
Catherine Mifsud
Oct 10th 2011, 14:33
Here in Dublin and also in London , DCO's kind of journalisim is called "gutter press journalisim" ...but then again ...whatever sells newspapers right ???
Giov DeMartino
Sep 9th 2011, 18:27
@ all those defending the magistrate:
irrespective of DCG' political leanings; irrespective of the Magistrates political leanings......if DCG's allegations prove to be true.......In that case what would you say? That the Courts are biased? A simple question needs a simpler answer.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 8th 2011, 17:13
"When the lawyer told her that people were innocent until proven guilty, Caruana Galizia said that when the police arraigned somebody, especially a policeman, they had enough evidence."
Apparently, she forgot that she was, at that moment, being "arraigned by the police". Or are we to take that as an admission of guilt?
Giov DeMartino
Sep 10th 2011, 18:11
And if it results that what DCG said is true?
maria grech ganado
Sep 8th 2011, 09:28
Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense, dear Daphne
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2011, 10:54
Hi Maria..do you by any chance belong to the order of the garter or are you just showing off to tell us that you stutter in French!..or perhaps you are very fluent in the French language...whoppy do!! whoppy do, I say!!!
Just stick to the point that Daphne as a responsible ,gutsy journalist is doing, and that is... trying very hard to bring a shred of repute to the Maltese Laugh Court..
...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.....
Astrid Vella
Sep 8th 2011, 15:42
Mr Sammut, one does not need to know French, only basic British history, in order to know of "Honi qui mal y pense', so why should you claim that Maria is showing off? Or is it the fact that a cultured person is objecting to your 'gutsy journalist' that bothers you.
Surely basic freedom of expression still exists in Malta, allowing one to express oneself in any style one likes as long as it's not libellous? That of course is one of the big issues in this case which have been totally eclipsed by the salacious tit-bits being exposed.
Should bloggers be allowed to destroy people through unproven allegations, often no more than mere gossip? Even if the person in question is a public figure, is there not a more dignified way of exposing the need for improved ethics and judicial integrity without resorting to extremes that leave family members scarred for life? Have those who have praised this style of writing - for I can't call it journalism - thought or care about its effect on the innocent bystanders in these cases?
Mr Robert Calafato
Sep 8th 2011, 09:06
A man generally has two reasons for doing a thing. One that sounds good, and a real one. ~J. Pierpoint Morgan
Mr Carmel J. Caruana
Sep 8th 2011, 08:33
I think that Ms Caruana Galizia has a good pen which I admire. However she sometimes goes to extremes and does not consider the greater picture. A case in point was when before the last election she systematically destroyed the reputation of the Hon Alfred Sant even though she knew that he is a first class economist and that the alternative was a continuation of a nationalist government which was (and still is) destroying the economy.
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2011, 00:11
WELL DONE Daphne!!
The island in the sun needs more journalists with guts and brains like yours.
Keep up the good work Daphne, and let us hope Justice....mind you, I am not holding my breath!!
...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.......
Mr John Zammit Ph.D.
Sep 7th 2011, 18:26
Another story concerning justice, the police, the judiciary and politicians is developing on the same lines at www.freewebs.com/mintoffjani - Malta Courts. I congratulate Daphne as one of the best investigative journalists in Malta.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 8th 2011, 00:31
Mr Zammit, you must have missed the bit where Ms Caruana Galizia herself stated that she did not investigate any of her stories. Read again.
Charles Attard
Sep 7th 2011, 17:11
The whole thing is pathetic
CSH should have refrained from certain extravagancies in her life due to her position.
But everybody knows DCG agenda and who are the people around her.
A sad aspect of Malta
Mr Chris Gatt
Sep 7th 2011, 17:42
Everyone has agendas. But here's the difference, DCG is a mere journalist who has the ability to state facts and give opinions (and also tarnish reputations, if the public believes her), magistrates on the other hand decide the fate of other people's lives, so a magistrates agenda can have a more profound effect
Charles Vella
Sep 7th 2011, 16:25
@ dennis zammit
I do not think you have any idea what you are talking about , or any idea how to use a keyboard. It seems you only do it for pleasure.
What Daphne Caruana Galizia is writing is highly serious. This should be thoroughly investigated and from What Mrs Daphne Caruana Galizia is providing , then our judicial system is in dire trouble.
From the latest move by her brother the Hon Herrera it shows that she has hit many nails on the head.
I suggest certain comments be prudent and wait for a judicial inquiry be organised because I do not feel safe in a country where magistrates behave in this manner!
Mr Emmanuel Bonnici
Sep 7th 2011, 13:47
Is this article an extract from the Italian Mini Series "Il Meglio delle Donne" or something between "Dallas & Dynasty".
What I can say is that this whole story, shall we call it "The Affair of Conseulo Scerri Herrera" or "Daphne and the Deathly Ire" is rather confusing.
Although I do not know neither one nor the other, what I am seeing here is that Daphne is accusing people from both sides of the political arena varying from Jeffrey, Jesmond, Robert Musumeci and Giannella CC (for sending virtual flowers on facebook to Conseulo) to Joseph Muscat, and the President George Abela (since his son was present in Conseulo's party) apart from others of a lower social position.
What does she expect when one has such a high position. Il-krema mhux mal-krema tithallat?!
I can see Daphne sending out the invites for her next do only to those unknown personalities, let's say to "Censa tal-grocer' and the wife of "Ganni taz-Zibel".
I simply cannot understand why a lady with such an excellent journalistic command is stooping so low in her career, accusing Tom, Dick & Harry with every thing they do.
Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.
Ivan Mizzi
Sep 7th 2011, 15:59
"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone."
So let's sack all police officers and prosecutors then.
Dennis Zammit
Sep 7th 2011, 12:30
So should we thank DCG for her interest in the local justice system? No way !!!!
The whole story, if any thing is true, is just a personal fight with an old friend who managed to reach out high in the justice system because I am sure that she is filtering what she writes.
Apart from this, we DO NOT need any saviours around. It would be much better if people like DCG clean their house first. Just look around the plates which used to fly around in a certain house; which news finished in court.
Mr A Vella
Sep 7th 2011, 19:14
Dennis, your kind of thinking is what gives power to dictatorship states like the one just toppled in Libya and the one that was closely averted not so long ago in Malta. Allow me to note that since you "DO NOT need any saviours around" you either stand to profit from the lack of segregation of powers that seems to exist or you have such a low self-esteem that you blindly trust whoever is controlling this mess. If we only had ten journalist who come close to Daphne's skills this country and the perception that its people have to power would be much much better.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 8th 2011, 00:44
Mr Vella, you seem to have a very skewed perspective. Dictators arise when you have people ready to defend the regime at all costs - like certain bloggers in Malta. I'm sure I don't have to mention any names.
Michael Hudson
Sep 7th 2011, 11:38
Nothing new, don't know what the fuss is all about. If the whole country is and has been in a mess for so long, why should one expect our judicary system to be any different.
Lets not forget, Prsidential pardons, Prime Ministers meeting with criminals under bridges, using victims for propoganda, saying that they new the killers, so on, so forth.
Come election day and the flock goes to the poll, usually an astonishing 90% +. Of course they'll continue taking us for a ride, with all these people supporting them, it's obvious. We will never learn.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 7th 2011, 12:36
"Come election day and the flock goes to the poll, usually an astonishing 90% +. Of course they'll continue taking us for a ride, with all these people supporting them, it's obvious. We will never learn."
And you think it would be better if less people voted? How?
Michael Hudson
Sep 7th 2011, 16:03
Mr. Laiviera, at least it will be a message that we've had enough.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 7th 2011, 16:42
No, Mr Hudson - it will send a message that we do not care anymore and encourage greater lack of accountability in the political class.
Public scrutiny is the only thing that can keep the powerful in check. We need more, not less.
C Muscat
Sep 7th 2011, 09:06
Ma flahtx naqra kollox. Din DCG min tahseb li hi!!! Trid tiddetta kollox u lil kulhadd. Allajbierek hi tat kollox u perfetta. Kont niehu pjacir naqra li tikteb imma issa lanqas biss inhares. DCG mort fl-estrem!!!
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 7th 2011, 08:48
Oh, how horrified were Rachel and Lou!
In deep shock they rushed off to the loo.
One quick call to the Blogger
To make sure things got hotter
And then back to the penne al ragù.
(2nd posting)
Mr david debattista
Sep 7th 2011, 08:05
This is not a soap opera after all, but by the looks of it a cause for concern ! We have a problem here !
Ms B Cassar
Sep 7th 2011, 07:02
il-magistrat ma ghamlitx sew jekk ghamlet dan kollu li qed tghid Galizia pero l-ahwa, din Caruana Galizia qed tipprova tpengi lilha innifisha bhal xi qaddisa ta, haga li zgur mijiex. Tikxef il-borom ta nies assocjati ma labour imma qatt ma tikxef ta dawk assocjati mal-PN. U dan finalment hu l-niku skop taghha. Min jaf kieku il-magistrat kellha nies tal-PN fil-parties u issir taf affarijiet hziena fuqhom kinitx titkellem u tpeclaq vojt bhal ma taghmel fil-blogs taghha? Ftit gimghat ilu rajt il-blogs u l-artikli taghha u b'wicci minn quddiem nghid li tqallajt naqra il-kummenti taghha. Vera diskors mhux f'postu u mqazzez. Ma nafx kif jigu pubblikati certu diskors u mod kif tindirizza in-nies. Ha naghmilha cara jien mhux niddefendi lil magistrat imma din Galizia hemm bzonn issir taf ukoll li xebbat il-pubbliku b'dan il-mod arroganti kif iggib ruhha specjalment meta tikteb. Ma nafx qadd kienx hemm xi hadd ghallimhom xi tfisser il-kelma rispett lil dan it-tip ta nies.
Mr Angus Black
Sep 7th 2011, 13:34
"Min jaf kieku il-magistrat kellha nies tal-PN fil-parties u issir taf affarijiet hziena fuqhom kinitx titkellem u tpeclaq vojt bhal ma taghmel fil-blogs taghha?"
Mela veru li qatt ma qrajt tl-blog ta DCG!
Emanuel. Vella.
Dec 20th 2011, 05:11
Pero ghal ghal l-elezzjoni li imiss,issa ma ghanda XEJN hazin u kontra,XI TGHID FUQ DR.JOSEPH MUSCAT.
J. Schembri
Sep 7th 2011, 06:39
Wether this is the fruit of an old fight between two women is irrelevant.
What is relevant to me is that there is no separation of powers between the “pillars of democracy" which include the Judiciary , the Executive , the Police and the Media.
In these Charity fund raising parties we had everyone mingling while having drinks; defense lawyers with judges , police officers and journalists and next of kin of our President. I wonder why there is no mention of someone from the Curia who would have fitted perfectly in a fund raising party for charity.
One thing’s for sure ,our judiciary is in a mess. How can an accused person feel confident that he will get a fair trial with all these going ons?
Perdete ogni speranza!
Every member of the judiciary should boycott judge Scerri Herrera if DCG is proven innocent.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Sep 7th 2011, 00:50
According to Daphne "How could a PN candidate invite the leader of the opposition to his birthday party?" What a parochial woman who has the audacity to accuse others of being close-minded! Quite obviously, money buys neither style nor brains. This woman is still stuck in an imagined bygone era.
Steve Mizzi
Sep 7th 2011, 14:26
You can accuse Ms Caruana Galizia of many things, lacking brains is definitely not one of them. That is unless you are a member of Mensa.
Mr Chris Gatt
Sep 7th 2011, 17:49
Here's a little test to help Mr Carmel Chetcuti. Instead of "How could a PN candidate invite the leader of the opposition to his birthday party?", let's say :""How could a Manchester United player invite the coach of Manchester City to his birthday party?". Now how would that sit with the fans of Man U.?
Now let us take it a step further how would they react if the Chairman of the English League invited the coach of Man U to his birthday party. That is similar to what the Magistrate allegedly did.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Sep 7th 2011, 22:47
@ Chris Gatt. Have you been present at all these imagined birthday parties that you talk about? How do you know who goes there? I do not know what happens in the UK but I can tell you there is nothing unusual in Australia about one parliamentarian inviting a member of another party to his or her birthday party. Incidentally a friend of mine regularly invites me to his election parties even though I am usually the only one who does not support the party that the host and his friends go for.
Mr Chris Gatt
Sep 8th 2011, 10:52
At Mr Chetcuti, to be persistent is admirable to be stubborn and miss the point is not. So let me be blunt now: you can go to whoever's party you are A NOBODY; you are neither a magistrate nor a leader of a political party.
However if you were a member of parliament belonging to a major party, yes, I would be very suspicious about inviting the leader of the opposing party to your birthday party, especially if you haven't invited along the leader of your own party.
Similarly when a magistrate and the leader of a party meet at an event organised by others, there is no problem there. But when it is the magistrate who is inviting the leader of any political party (let alone the political party of which your brother is a member) then you should always err on the side of caution. Otherwise the next time that leader of that political party is up against that magistrate over some case or others, would you be surprised if tongues will wag - to the detriment of both sides?
One must remember that for a magistrate, as for a politician or a priest or nun for that matter, there is never an 'off-duty' moment. What they represent stays with them. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory. If they don't like they should seek other jobs.
Put it another way: we all think being caught driving under the influence of alcohol is a bad thing. However most of us would think far worse of that person if that person was a magistrate.
Incidentally the UK analogy was merely an example. You can subsititute it with Valletta or Floriana FC for all I care. Boy I hate it when people think they are smart when in fact they are obtuse.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Sep 9th 2011, 01:34
@ Chris Gatt. Would it ever occur to you that a parliamentarian of one party may be friendlier with the leader of another party than the leader of his own party? You can be as suspicious as you care to be (which, incidentally, little surprises me) but suspicion is merely that. It never constitutes evidence. Incidentally a magistrate has a private life and he or she is merely expected to discharge their duty in the proper manner. They can be sluts for all I care. I mean there has been enough bishops and archbishops (and popes) whose behaviour has left a lot to be desired and no one removes them from their office. Why is a section of Maltese society always hung up about sex ... when it suits them of course? Fancy all this crap about adultery! You and Maltese like you are the world's laughing stock.
Mr John Bonnici
Sep 6th 2011, 22:23
DCG is right about one thing, this whole story is "tahwid bill Kibir"
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Sep 6th 2011, 22:19
If what Daphne Caruana Galizia is alleging is true, then there is no other way out but for the Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera to tender her resignatiion ipso facto.
JC.
Mr edward ciantar
Sep 7th 2011, 08:39
Oh really, resign? Since when are people in high up institutions resigning, may I ask JC? If these people took you seriously and adopted the 'resign' way of thinking we would be hardly left with anyone to administer? got it!!!!!!
Rebecca Pace
Sep 6th 2011, 22:19
And then Lou Bondi wants to be taken seriously!! Him and Rachel go to the toilet behind their host's back to phone Daphne!! Then go back to continue with the dinner party organised by their host - the same person whom they just betrayed!! The guests from Hell!!! ta' min jafdahom!!
Mr john vella
Sep 7th 2011, 08:42
Rebecca Pace
Allow me a slight observation.
If Mr. Bondi and Ms Rachel did what is reported, in my opinion they did the most honorable thing. I say they should have also called the police, if they did not.
For the record I am one of the many that do not give a dam to Mr. Bondi's program or to him for that matter, but what is considered proper and right deserve credit.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 8th 2011, 12:37
Call the police for what, Mr Vella? Since when is it a crime to criticise bloggers?
Ms Francesca Abela
Sep 6th 2011, 21:12
Grow up and shut up Daphne, what is wrong with people of different Political, Religious or other differing persuasions from being friends? Mela if you dont agree Politically with someone you dont speak to them?? Baby.
j brincat
Sep 6th 2011, 20:04
@Giov deMartino
Why is it that nobody is surprised of your moral conviction!
(jb)
Mr Joseph N. Attard
Sep 6th 2011, 20:03
But why oh why do we politicize everything? Should we not be more concerned whether the stories coming out, from whichever source, are true or not? Should we not be most concerned at the state of our justice system? Should we not be extreemly concerned whether something is rotten in the state of Denmark?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 6th 2011, 20:55
Mr Attard, donl;t play the innocent or naive. You know as much as anybody else that Mrs DCG's blog is politically notivated, aided and abetted by NP officials at the Stamperia and at Castille.
Mr Joseph N. Attard
Sep 6th 2011, 21:41
Mr Camilleri, you are measuring me by your own yardstick. No, I do not know what you allege I know. What I know is that, if the filth coming out is only half true, then our justice system needs a complete overhaul. Only those heads, of whichever political conviction, which are buried in the sand cannot, or will not, see it.
Mr Henry Mifsud
Sep 6th 2011, 20:01
Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none.
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "All's Well That Ends Well", Act 1 Scene 1
.... and today I realized that the few to be trusted should actually be fewer!
I always wondered who betrayed the Magistrate's trust (if what DCG is saying is true).
I shudder to think of inviting people whom I consider as friends to my home only for them to run to the toilet to phone none other than the one who self-confessed publicly in the media of her hate against me; to pump her up because they are shocked of what I have just said about her.
Scruples, what scruples?
With friends like these who needs enemies?
Giov DeMartino
Sep 7th 2011, 06:33
@ Deo Catania. What is your point?
Alfred Vassallo
Sep 6th 2011, 19:30
@ Giov DeMartino
Just as much as I am morally convinced that you are supporting DCG for the simple reason of her pn leanings, otherwise she would be at the receiving end of your comments. Am I correct Mr. Gio DeMartino?
Giov DeMartino
Sep 6th 2011, 18:49
I am morally convinced that all those criticizing DCG are all labour apologists. And they are doing this not because they do not believe what she is saying, but because of her political leanings and because the Judge is the sister of a PL member of parliament. Am I correct MR Victor Laiviera?
Mr Henry Mifsud
Sep 6th 2011, 19:32
and what are we expected to call you Giov after such an analysis?
the nationalist moralist who dare not criticize DCG because of her political leanings?
Mr A. Mizzi
Sep 6th 2011, 19:35
One doesn't have to be related to the Magisrate to get suspended sentences or very light sentences! Some judgements are questionable including VAT fraud, tax fraud, libel cases,....
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100713/local/parliamentary-secretarys-driver-conditional-discharged-over-vandalism-claim
Giov DeMartino
Sep 6th 2011, 20:13
@ Mr H Mifsud: Ithe nationalist moralist dare not judge DCG because of her political leanings. Correct. But here we have a Magistrate whose political leanings should not be made public. THAT is the difference.
Deo Catania
Sep 6th 2011, 22:17
Sour grapes DeMartino. and yes I'm a PL supporter and proud of it, we don't care what the 'sahhara' says.
Giov DeMartino
Sep 7th 2011, 08:18
@ Deo Catania: what is the point of your childish comment.
Deo Catania
Sep 7th 2011, 13:47
DeMartino, if you cannot (or actually do not want) to understand my 'childish' comment is not my problem. I find your comment disgusting, accusing people criticizing the 'sahhara' because of her PN leanings and not because they don't believe her. You're just defending anything gonzipn under the sun as usual. If what the 'sahhara' wrote is true still there's nothing wrong but I'm sure the 'sahhara' adjusted everthing to suit her propoganda. Lou Bondi was just the final cherry on the cake.
Giov DeMartino
Sep 7th 2011, 14:40
NO Catania. If YOu cannot write a simple sensible sentence, then it is YOUR fault and not mine if I fail to understand what you want to say. You are free to be proud of being labour, when we all now that stupidity is infinite.
Mr edward ciantar
Sep 7th 2011, 16:09
@GV
what goes round must come round
Mr Joseph N. Attard
Sep 6th 2011, 18:28
Many, many years ago, a member of my family was studying for an MA. Part of the thesis involved many one-to-one interviews with notorious inmates serving time at Corradino. This family member used to recount the horrific stories the prisoners would tell her regarding some members of the judiciary and of the police. I used to admonish this family member not to believe such dirt and calumnies. Now, older and perhaps a little bit wiser, sometimes I wonder.
Mr Paul Caruana
Sep 6th 2011, 18:14
It is a disturbing testimony....for the wrong reasons. The impression one gets is that, as we start to edge towards the next election, underhand tactics are being deployed with a view to discredit certain MPs from both sides of the aisle
Looks like this is just the start of what promises to be a very dirty electoral campaign. May God help us to discern the truth over the coming months.
Giov DeMartino
Sep 6th 2011, 18:30
The Judge is not an MP. If what Ms. Caruana Galizia has testified is true, then we are living in a very precarious democracy. Why are some commentators below trying to defend the Judge? Let the Court decide.
Mr Angus Black
Sep 6th 2011, 21:16
If you only followed DCG's blog, you would have realized that this issue is not recent at all and elections are not an issue. So, as you implied, had DCG not exposed this travesty, then the Magistrate's brother or his firm, would have continued to defend cases at which his sister presided? How blind would justice be then?
DCG's testimony is for the RIGHT reasons and she should be commended for having the intestinal fortitude to step on some toes in the name of true justice and democracy. The public should be outraged at the behaviour of this magistrate and anyone approving of her activities and association with doubtful characters, only reflect their lack of respect of the Judiciary.
Mr V Caruana
Sep 6th 2011, 17:32
This is not a case of DCG agaist CSH. Reading between the lines you'll get to one conclusion, that PL personnel and its administration are "maħmuġin" Bdw JPO and JM who cause trouble to PN in government are also "mal-maħmuġin" Veru l-kas ta' MIN MHUX MAGĦNA KONTRA TAGĦNA.
Mr Joseph Calleja
Sep 6th 2011, 18:08
This is a pure case of two grown up, very educated women going at each other's throat publicly and nothing political about that.. Leave the dirty politics out of it. Reading between the lines is very far fetched. I don't think that BDW JPO and JM want to find themselves in the middle of this fight, would you? Never, ever get in between two fighting dogs! Or maybe one has a better chance of surviving between two dogs than getting in between these two vicious women. I pity the person who has to.
Mr david debattista
Sep 6th 2011, 17:25
You know I was thinking, this case has all the qualities, all the ingredients for the next local soup opera on our TV. It has that....... Pizza Italia flavour.
Pass the popcorn !
Mr Fenech MD
Sep 6th 2011, 17:10
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Mario Farrugia
Sep 6th 2011, 18:34
I couldn't agree more. Well said!
M S
Sep 6th 2011, 18:44
Totally agree.
M Azzopardi
Sep 6th 2011, 19:50
prosit, you could not have said it better........if only people think before they speak
summer _love2106
Sep 6th 2011, 23:58
I couldn't agree more!
Mr Peter Agius
Sep 6th 2011, 17:09
If what Daphne is saying, is the truth then we are living in a cesspit without knowing it.
Mr Antoine Vella
Sep 6th 2011, 17:27
Oh, but we do know it now. Thanks to Daphne Caruana Galizia there is no excuse for journalists to not follow up the cases she has exposed.
Mr Wally Vella-Zarb
Sep 6th 2011, 17:58
@ Antoine Vella
...except that "Caruana Galizia said, about the judgements she had referred to, that she
based herself on press reports and had not carried out further
verification"...
oops! You didn't read that bit, did you?
JOSEPH VELLA
Sep 6th 2011, 17:04
Only one solution. Throw them in a pool full of mud and let them fight it out
guido cutajar
Sep 6th 2011, 18:09
A very sensible solution........If it will be approved, please let me know from where I can buy front row tickets...
Mr J Xerri
Sep 6th 2011, 16:40
If we take the line of thought Daphne Caruana Galizia took when testifying, probably it would be next to impossible to find magistrates to hear certain cases.
jack bristow
Sep 6th 2011, 16:38
By leaving comments on an article like this, one has the opportunity of being eager to show his/her loyalty to one of the cats.Bil-Malti, iggib ilsienek ingravata, ghall-interessi futuri.............. in Malta & abroad.
Alfred Vassallo
Sep 6th 2011, 16:16
Quote ''Under cross examination by lawyer Steve Tonna Lowell, Caruana Galizia said, about the judgements she had referred to, that she based herself on press reports and had not carried out further verification''. Who cares about 'further verification' just spew what ever comes my way with deadly precision.And quote ''These people were Lou Bondi' and Rachel Attard''They didn't loose any time....talk about woman gossip!!!!
Mr John Said
Sep 6th 2011, 16:15
When hearing these things I don’t know if one should laugh or cry…….. members of the judiciary institutions, politicians FROM BOTH PARTIES, members of the police corps, law breakers and TV personalities all mixing and matching together like we see on movies…….. I think that we the honest and common man in the street should really start getting worried! I don’t think that all this that has been said was simply invented, without having any prove, if not DCG should be locked up somewhere where she can get some help to be cured, whilst if she can prove what she is saying, MSH should be locked up and all the cases she was involved in should be reinvestigated. This is a very serious matter, and a magistrate should keep away from these things if she wants to be respected, as someone who has the responsibility to make people respect the law, and punish law breaking individuals, should lead an exemplary life, or at least keep a low profile.</font>Hope that the case does not stop here, and that we can now who is saying the truth……. Have a good laugh…….. And then burst in tears!
Marvic Psaila
Sep 6th 2011, 16:08
Daphne, it's time to have a break and please give us all a break too!
R Saliba
Sep 6th 2011, 16:33
why should she? No one is forcing you to read her stuff.
Mr John Said
Sep 6th 2011, 16:38
Has it ever crossed your mind that what she is saying maybe the truth? It would explain a lot of things.
Marvic Psaila
Sep 6th 2011, 16:42
Mr/Ms Saliba........I can assure you that I never read her stuff. It's the Times of Malta that I follow and I enjoy reading worthy news and not crap.
R Saliba
Sep 6th 2011, 17:07
Marvic, than why are you asking her to give you a break? A bit pointless ain't it?
Mr Joseph Calleja
Sep 6th 2011, 18:17
@ Marvic PsailaThis comes under the heading "Entertaiment". No sense of humour? If it wasn't for people like Ms Galizia we would be very uninformed people. The only question I have is: Why are these two very sofisticated professional women airing their dirty laundry for everybody to see? What an embarrassment it must be for their families?
Anthony Farrugia
Sep 6th 2011, 15:59
During Latin classes at school many years ago, we were taught "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" ("Who will guard the guards themselves" or "Who watches the watchmen ?");is this still relevant in this day and age ? Where does the Commission for the Administration of Justice stand on this matter ?
J Farrugia
Sep 6th 2011, 15:56
Meanwhile people who have serious pending cases have to wait and have their lives on hold because our brilliant justice system see's this as a priority. 2011 and the common folk still have to put up with this.
Mr ALBERT FENECH
Sep 6th 2011, 15:48
Incredible! Handbags at dawn, at 30 paces? May I suggest to the esteemed Editor that a psycho-analyst be employed to sift through this testimony and make public the findings? As a layman I analyse that a few descriptive adjectives would include jealousy, revenge, vindictiveness, stalking, cronyism, bootlicking, washing dirty linen in public, ham-handed political overtones and scandal-mongering. Above all, the comportment of both protagonists has been of grave dis-service to the cause of gender equality and the profile of females as public figures. Many years ago I used to work in a particular street in Valletta that was well-known for its totally unsavoury nature. From our office and on a regular basis, we often heard salacious female protagonists from the street below "having a go" at each other. This testimony takes me back all these years.If I were Mr Ronnie Pellegrini I would now certainly be talking to my lawyers.ALBERT FENECH - Qawra
Charles Sammut
Sep 6th 2011, 16:34
"I were Mr Ronnie Pellegrini I would now certainly be talking to my lawyers."
I beg to differ. Being called names by DCG is a compliment.
R Saliba
Sep 6th 2011, 16:39
Mr Fenech, for a moment there I thought you were describing one news.
Mr ALBERT FENECH
Sep 6th 2011, 17:15
@Mr Saliba - are you suggesting that DCG would be a suitable role model for One News? I very much doubt it. However, if she is interested perhaps she should apply although I very much doubt whether she would get past the preliminary interview. As far as I am aware they do have a basic standard of ethics.ALBERT FENECH
A Dimech
Sep 6th 2011, 15:40
I just don't understand this whole thing. It seems two women who hate each other havign a go at each other.DOn't they realise that the tax payer is paying for all this? What about the taxpayer "sueing" both of them for wasting valuable resources?
R Saliba
Sep 6th 2011, 16:38
Having a Magistrate in cahoots with either the prosecution or the defence, and you call this a waste of valuable resource?! This is a grave matter and, if proven, would you be happy that Magistrate Herrera stays? I hope you don't consider this as not serious due to the fact that Jose' Herrera is her brother.
Mr Aaron Vella
Sep 6th 2011, 17:16
My God, no wonder magistrates and judges in Malta treat the citizens like they do, with people spewing ignorant comments like yours. The taxpayer have a right to know if the members of the judiciary are corrupt or not... Mela gej bil- waste of money, x'kull wahda!
Ms D Galea
Sep 6th 2011, 15:39
In the rest of the EU, people occupying certain public posts have had to resigned voluntarily for much less.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 6th 2011, 16:44
LIke ministers who accepted free flights and free football tickets from government contractors?
Or ministers responsible for losing Maltaese studenst the right to EU scholarships?
Giov DeMartino
Sep 6th 2011, 20:40
@ MISTER VictorLaiviera: are you referring to Mintoff who used to take long holidays on board a business man's luxury yacht?
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 6th 2011, 23:31
As usual, Mr DeMartino has to go back some 30 years to find an argument - and as usual, it is false.
Mintoff occasionally took a trip on the yacht of an old friend - a manufacturer of wine, NOT a contractor who was bidding for government contracts which were to be decided in a few days time BY THE SAME MINISTER who was accepting the favours.
See the difference?
Giov DeMartino
Sep 7th 2011, 18:18
@ Mr V Laiviera. I have to go back 30 for the very simple reason that labour have been in the wilderness for such a long time.
Thanks for confirming that Mintoff used to have long holidays on a businessman's luxury yacht.
There were other businessmen who, in the 90's flew in the same aeroplane as the minister. I forget the details but I think they went to Saudi Arabia. Pl correct the details.
There was another businessman who "lent" a villa to a minister.
Kevin Formosa
Sep 6th 2011, 15:37
May I get an invite for the next party please?
Mr Joseph Calleja
Sep 6th 2011, 17:06
Me too? Just kidding.... What a melodrama this is getting to be. If it wasn't so serious, it might be a lot of fun to watch and follow through.
victor caruana
Sep 6th 2011, 15:31
quote: 'How could a PN candidate invite the leader of the opposition to his birthday party?' Il-galizia still living in the year 5000 BC or now in Burkino Faso. Is she so old fashioned?????
Charles Sammut
Sep 6th 2011, 15:24
"How could a PN candidate invite the leader of the opposition to his birthday party?"
Because we live in a civilised democracy.
Mr R ferriggi
Sep 6th 2011, 15:22
how can DCG still have friends?!?! i would run a million miles just to avoid her being around.
Mario Pace
Sep 6th 2011, 15:18
This is first class soap opera material; it reminds me of Alexis Carrington in Dynasty and JR Ewing of Dallas
Peppi Grech
Sep 6th 2011, 15:13
L-unika mar bil-b..... li naf!!!Bis-sens mann,bis-sens!!!
Gordon Farrugia
Sep 6th 2011, 15:12
To me galizia doesn't even merit to be referred to as a journalist. Her arrogance and insensitivity towards people is disconcerting to say the least; this can be best seen in her blog posts. She's a bit like a child that is left to herself to say whatever she pleases, irrespective whether such insinuations are factual or not and without any regard or respect to her 'victims'.
Mr John Said
Sep 6th 2011, 16:36
To me, if she can prove what she said, we need more journalists like her. Maybe our courts will be respected again, and will not hear anymore the words suspended sentence and probation, but effective jail terms! As if all this is proven to be true, it would explain a lot of questions being raised about our court rooms!
Mr Joseph Calleja
Sep 6th 2011, 15:12
Wow! This is an ongoing personal saga between Ms Galizia and the Magistrate. I have a good feeling that these two are not fond of each other. Not at all. A lot of uncalled for, personal and private information is surfacing in this melodrama. I think that these two very nice, very educated ladies are very entertaining but both these two ladies lack common sense. This is all she said, she said and for what and why? Why does one care if one had a marital affair or not. That is between her and her husband. As far as party invitations etc, Malta is a small island where everybody knows everybody and you never know who is going to attend at a party, if we omit people that we know, politicians, lawyers, police suprentendants, judges, or anybody else in a high position, nobody would show up. Also it is way to informative when Ms Galizia said that Lou Bondi' and Rachel Attard heard what ever, on their way to the toilet. Did we really need to know where these two were heading for? Come on you two, stop making fools of yourselves, shake hands and come out fighting (just kidding). Spilling each other's guts to spite the other in public is not ethical and you know it. Keep your private affairs to yourselves and settle any infractions between the two of you in private. Both of you are subjecting yourselves and your families to redicule not to mention you are getting to be an embarrasment to your professions. Ms Scerri Herrera and Ms Galizia why not, the both of you call it quits and act mature, Both of you, learn to air your laundry at home and not in public. Neither of you is even a politician, only they have the right to embarrass themselves publicly. People love to gossip and they feed on gossip. I like everybody else, am waiting to hear what happens next. Curious I guess, wanting to see how two professional women can stoop so low and are willing to embarrass themselves as to spill all in public? Grow up, the both of you.
Victor Vella
Sep 6th 2011, 15:11
I don't want to comment much as the case is sub judice,but are these allegations which I suppose are being made under oath going to be investigated properly? I also believe that whilst a party is a party and everyone should go and enjoyhim/her self I also believe that certain people should not mix as shadows can fall on them.Shouldn't the magistrate declare conflict of interest if her brother is the accused's lawyer? shouldn't she also declare same when dealing with her boy friends brother? I doubt very much how neutral she could be under those circumstances.
Mr Emmanuel Ebejer
Sep 6th 2011, 15:11
This story smells and sounds like an old grudge!!! Grow up, girls...you're to old to keep holding grudges!!!
ALFRED BRIFFA
Sep 6th 2011, 15:06
Prosit sur editur,Artiklu li nizilli ghasel.....glieda bejn zewg nisa dejjem dejjem ikollha tmiem ecitanti u interesanti.
Mr Angus Black
Sep 6th 2011, 15:06
Nothing surprising about your comment, Mr. Borg. Just remember that a certain sector of the political spectrum, for years, have alleged corruption, although proven wrong time and time again, but when it comes to a Magistrate displaying serious lack of judgement, then you say, it's not newsworthy?A Magistrate should be impartial and his/her social activities limited, by virtue of the rules of the game. If this Magistrate could not stay within the rules, then her honourable way out is to resign and then she can have all the fun with whoever she chooses.Whether it was Daphne Caruana Galizia or iz-zija Zez who blew the lid off this sordid affair, is immaterial. It is the Magistrate's behaviour should be under scrutiny and not the whistleblower's.I find one particular comment by DCG most compelling and that is the reference to the Commission for the Administration of Justice , presided by President Abela and the lack of explanation from CAJ of how this Magistrate continues to preside in various cases in spite of so much speculation about her dubious behaviour.
Mr Jay Oatmon
Sep 6th 2011, 16:02
Well we know of currupt magistrates (for example an ex Chief Justice was convicted of taking bribes).
I think that in Malta conflicts of interest are forgotten in the generally disfunctional courts system which often takes ten years to get to trial and has cases routinely chucked out over minor technical infringements.
This is the main conflict of interest - the courts alone decide if they need to change, and change does not suit them as they have a predictable easy 5 day week lifestyle and no one can fire them if they underperform.
Also I think an honest straightforward politician or policeman in Malta is probably unusual, given that there are so few checks and balances - and conflicts of interests occur almost daily for these people.
Matthew Vella
Sep 6th 2011, 14:57
Well it does seem clear, from what is said here, mind you, that the magistrate was being inappropriate
Ms Charlene Cassar
Sep 6th 2011, 14:56
This Story goes well while devouring chocolate-chip icecream :)
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 6th 2011, 14:55
"Caruana Galizia said two people at that dinner party were shocked by the Magistrate's behaviour and called her about it. These people were Lou Bondi' and Rachel Attard. "
I knew there had to be a alugh in this somewhere.
Mr J Busuttil
Sep 6th 2011, 15:39
Come on Victor be honest and tell us if you have a grudge for Caruana Galizia? If so why?
Mr michael catania
Sep 6th 2011, 16:42
I too had a belly full of laugh when I read that comment.
Charles Micallef
Sep 6th 2011, 14:54
quote "Scerri Herrera said she worked hard for charity, when it was evident that the magistrate was using charity for publicity" unquote . Is this not the case with a number of Directors of charitable organizations, they love the media to supposedly promote a particular charity and instead use it to promote themselves!
Mr Angus Black
Sep 6th 2011, 16:12
@ Charles Micallef et alCan you not make a distinction between directors of charitable organizations and magistrates/judges?Directors of charitable organizations do not judge others, in fact, it is the opposite. It is the public who judges whether charitable organizations and/or their directors are worthy of receiving our hard earned money.In this case, the majority are of the opinion that the said magistrate is way off base and as such is not fit to pass judgement on others and therefore should be censored or completely removed. This is unlikely especially since her brother is an Opposition MP and his sympathies surely lie on the side of his sister!
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 6th 2011, 14:53
Anyone who describes another person as "żibel" had better take a close look at himself/herself.
Clayton Bezzina
Sep 6th 2011, 14:51
Daphne, your credibility is close to Gaddafi's. Give us a break.
Giov DeMartino
Sep 7th 2011, 08:21
Why? Are you so sure she is not telling the truth?
Mark Galea
Sep 6th 2011, 14:49
What model members of the judiciary we have ... hux ...
Paul Micallef
Sep 6th 2011, 14:48
Is this the Maltese high society? All knives and swords if not also guns pointed at everyones back!!!!
summer _love2106
Sep 6th 2011, 14:47
How can women ever be respected in the workplace when two people like DCG and CSA keep bitching and cat-fighting in public? Would you see men do this sort of thing? No! These two are a disgrace!!
Danika Vella
Sep 6th 2011, 15:50
Would you rather that this aleged corruption remained hidden then?
Anthony Cassar
Sep 6th 2011, 15:54
Have you ever followed a political campaign in Malta, no, no you are right all men are perfect gentlemen. Come on, how could any one turn this into a gender issue? Now, if investigations were undertaken to veryfy who is telling the truth rather than whether people can or should be gagged, that would be something! Flash news: there is the good and the not so good in each gender...
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 6th 2011, 16:48
What alleged corruption, Ms Vella? If you read the above carefully, you will note that Ms Caruana Galizia was very careful to make no actual accusations of illegality - just "inappropriate" behaviour.
summer _love2106
Sep 7th 2011, 00:38
Flash News: I never said that men in Malta are perfect gentlemen. Far from it! I have followed political campaigns yes, and neither one of the leaders (or anyone involved) ever accused the other of having extra-marital affairs etc..
This feud between them obviously goes way back and the word 'jealousy' came to mind when reading this article.
"One of them being an interview with First magazine in June 2008 which showed the Magistrate posing on a chair where she described how she cooked breakfast for her children and took tea to her husband - when everyone knew that she was having an extramarital affair."
Corruption? Pah! This is airing each other's dirty laundry. "This is a clear case of of somebody obsessed with someone else" I couldn't agree more!
Plus, DCG has no real evidence so what's the point of saying all the things that she said?
What I'm saying is this: How can two successful women (like these two) get so low? Would a man (besides Lou Bondi) biaatch and backstab the way these two are doing? In public? No, I don't think so.
Mr R ferriggi
Sep 6th 2011, 14:44
unbelievable.a clear case of a person who is obsessed with someone else. it is totally disgraceful if not unacceptable. the creator of dirty nasty cheap articles.
J. De Bono
Sep 6th 2011, 14:54
So what the woman throws a few parties, let her enjoy herself, this appears more like jealousy than anything else.
A. Tabone
Sep 6th 2011, 15:07
No, she cannot "enjoy herself." Judges and magistrates have to live a cloistered life - to preserve their impartiality and to ensure the Law remains equal for all. Those are the rules of all Western European judiciaries. And that's what all serious members of the judiciary do in Malta.
If you prefer your judges were easily swayed, do go to Haiti or Zimbabwe.
Mr Anthony Micallef
Sep 6th 2011, 15:18
what is dirty about pointing out that disgusting behaviour of a so-called judge?A judge who 'makes out' with police & stands in judgement of her party guests ? What if you took a case to court only to find out that the judge is literally partying with the other party?Disgraceful and unacceptable
Mr R ferriggi
Sep 6th 2011, 15:20
thats wat i meant debono. totally agree.i am referring to DCG s obsession with other people's business.pretentions of being a pure woman.
Reuben D. Spiteri
Sep 6th 2011, 15:58
@A Tabone
Dear sir are you saying that a human being cannot throw a party without "preserving their impartiality"? where's the link in that?
The bottom line is I don't really care that much as it is not my intention to see either of these too ladies any time soon.
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Sep 6th 2011, 15:59
@J. De Bono
I wonder how much you would like it if you knew that the judge responsible on
your case was "partying" with your accuser, or the person you accuse
of something!!! ... I can imagine saying ... "what if the judge throws a
few parties"!!!
Odette Longo
Sep 6th 2011, 16:00
i concur
A. Tabone
Sep 6th 2011, 16:36
@Reuben D. Spiteri
Do not be naive. Would you yourself be willing to have a court action against a fellow partygoer of the said events and, to top it all, heard by the same magistrate that organised it?
It is already shameful to have one of the Magistrate's colleagues having to decide the case.
James Scerri
Sep 6th 2011, 14:40
sounds more like a cat-fight than a libel case to me!! :)made my laugh a lot...keep it up!
Charles Micallef
Sep 6th 2011, 14:36
Oh what a tangle web we weave when those who are their to protect us get involved in all this deceit !!!
Mr Albert Borg
Sep 6th 2011, 14:33
how is this news worthy?
Mr Joe Micallef
Sep 6th 2011, 15:01
Mr.
Albert Borg are you suggesting that determining whether a judge is impartial is
not news worthy?
A. Tabone
Sep 6th 2011, 15:01
Take your pick:
Impartiality of the Law Courts, (nemo iudex in sua causa), separation of powers, checks and balances, rule of law, independent and impartial police force and so forth, and so forth...
Mr mark johnson
Sep 6th 2011, 15:02
Only to ignorant people like me who don't know how things work in Malta, I guess.
Mr Joseph M Scicluna
Sep 6th 2011, 15:06
It will be really news-worthy if and when we hear the Gran Finale.
Ms S Micallef
Sep 6th 2011, 15:20
this is indeed newsworthy.Thank you The Times for letting everyone know just what some people who hold certain positions get up to in real life. Mr. Mugliett, Lydia and her husband...mur obsot where these sober-looking people hang out in their free time. Tal-misthija the whole lot of them.