Robert Arrigo says he is target of blackmail
Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo said this evening that he was the target of blackmail.
Speaking in Parliament, without giving details, he said that messengers had been sent to him giving messages to do certain things. These messengers had been sent by the same person.
He said that he would never succumb to blackmail.
He also revealed that he had passed on to the Police an email where it was said that a professional, not working for the government, had knowledge of a VAT investigation on a particular person.
Mr Arrigo also accused the media of being a vehicle for publishing information about persons involved in cases of blackmail. There were newspapers which had hidden agendas. Everyone, he said, would have to account for his actions.
He said that jealousy had to be curtailed.. He declared that he had confidence in the Police who had certain facts and emails in their hands.
Last month the prime minister denied that Mr Arrigo - formerly Mayor of Sliema and president of Sliema Football Club - is part of an investigation over football bribery.
“Robert Arrigo went to the Police Commissioner himself with an e-mail containing allegations, which he felt should be investigated," Dr Gonzi had said. "So he is not being investigated but he went to the police on his own volition,” Dr Gonzi had said, praising Mr Arrigo’s behaviour.
Mr Arrigo made the same comments when contacted. “I’m not involved in any investigation. I’m not being investigated. I only passed on some e-mails I received to the Police Commissioner,” he said.
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John F. Galea
Dec 8th 2011, 18:22
I have known and came in contact with the Hon Robert Arrigo for the last thirty years. His benevolence, charisma and upright characteristics are undisputable. He enjoys a wide reputation for his well doing to all and sundry. In fact he is elected from both districts he contests.
Perhaps, now that elections are on the horizon, someone is disgracefully and hideously trying to tarnish said honourable gentleman.
silvio loporto
Dec 8th 2011, 09:34
As I see it,when someone resorts to such dissgraceful tactics,only goes to prove that he considers you as a threat to his advancment or is being revengeful .
If I might venture to give you an advise.
"It is good for a wise man,to look for his enemies amongst his so called,friends"
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 09:12
I feel that in the present circumstances the public should refrain from placing partisan comments, and let the authorities do their work, whether it would be the Police, the Courts, the Prime Minister, the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party or anyone else. It is the populace which suffers with wrongdoings, without distinction of any political creed one might have. Situations like these teach everyone not to vote for toilet bowls just because they might have the PN or LP badges on them. A toilet bowl, whether ceramic or golden, remains a toilet bowl. It is up to us the electorate to evaluate and notice. If we treat ourselves as a Gahan we will be treated like a Gahan. If we are manly enough to call a spade a spade, we might not perhaps move much forward, but at least we would be remembered as gentlemen, unless of course the ignorant believe the dung that is thrown to their ears and eyes.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 8th 2011, 10:01
Expressing disdain for blackmailers is not "placing partisan comments" and it does not interfere with the "authorities doing their work".
silvio loporto
Dec 8th 2011, 09:00
As I see it,the fact that there are some who will do anything to put you in a bad light,can only mean that they see you as a threat to them.
I think there is more to come,but we all know you as a hard nut to crack,so let them keep trying.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 8th 2011, 08:48
The Hon. Mr Arrigo was speaking in parliament. This means that whatever he says is privileged and immune from any action for libel or defamation.
Why did he not name names?
Hossam Helwani
Dec 8th 2011, 10:54
Because he is waiting for the police to do its work. Is it so difficult for you to perceive?
Victor Laiviera
Dec 9th 2011, 14:28
In that case, why say anything at all?
A Dimech
Dec 8th 2011, 00:14
it is like watching a brilliant soap opera - blackmail, accusations - every week!!
what a brilliant government!! how entertaining!
joseph saliba
Dec 8th 2011, 10:03
then it was very wise of us (Maltese) to vote for the whole lot as they are entertaining us while 'Rome' is burning!!?
vincent a galea
Dec 7th 2011, 22:11
I have known the Hon Mr Robert Arrigo for a number of years....
I have always found him to be a person of integrity and impeccable character....
John Meli
Dec 8th 2011, 10:06
I do agree with you and yes Hon. Robert Arrigo is a person of great integrity and impeccable character that must be respected. Those who hate you try to tarnish your good reputation when in politics.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 7th 2011, 20:44
Blackmailers are the lowest form of the low criminal world.
It is despicable to suggest that someone bold enough to report a case of blackmail to the police should himself be accused of being investigated by the police.
Carmel Xuereb
Dec 8th 2011, 07:40
But in life there are to many U turns doctor!!!!!!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 8th 2011, 08:26
Why is it so “despicable to suggest that someone bold enough to report a case of blackmail to the police should himself be accused of being investigated by the police”? It is not all that despicable considering that there are many known cases of persons involved in criminal acts going to the police in an effort to misdirect .the investigation. I am by no stretch of the imagination suggesting that Robert Arrigo went that way.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 8th 2011, 11:25
@ Charles J Buttigieg.
This is well and truly despicable because it is NOT the case of “a known criminal trying to misdirect an investigation”. There was no prior on-going police investigation when Robert Arrigo took the initiative as a public-spirited citizen to submit evidence to the police that he was being blackmailed. It was wrong for sections of the media to turn the tables on him and to create the impression in the public eye that he was somehow tainted with a crime when he was indisputably the victim of criminal blackmail. If the author of the blackmailing letter was well intentioned, he would have reported directly to the police himself and he would not have sent it to his intended victim in the hope of obtaining some material advantage for himself.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 8th 2011, 14:01
Dr. Saliba , My comment was in general terms. Visit your initial comment and my response to it. I have no cause to tarnish the good reputation of Robert Arrigo.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 8th 2011, 15:54
@ Charles J Buttigieg.
Granted that you protest that you were not referring to Mr Arrigo. But then what was your intention in putting up a defence for those who reported falsely that he was the subject of a criminal investigation by the police and your support for a supposed police investigation triggered by his handing over blackmailing letters to the police for action by them? You cannot have the cake and eat it.
Could we please have less of this hypocritical pretence "I am against political murders/crime BUT .........." followed by excuses and apologies in aid of that criminial activity?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 8th 2011, 18:37
• @ Dr.Saliba. Why are you twisting what I wrote? Where did I put a defence for those who reported falsely etc?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 9th 2011, 08:40
@ Charles J Buttigieg.
I am not twisting your words. Any intelligent reader could easily ascertain what you wrote clearly and what you only insinuated slyly.! I am only exposing the trick employed by the usual labourite commenters to ask rhetorical questions that are only thinly veiled malicious insinuations, instead of making clear statements that would be libelous!