Auditor-General Anthony Mifsud will be investigating allegations against Rita Schembri, who heads the Government’s Internal Audit and Investigations Directorate.

The Government said the Prime Minister instructed Principal Permanent Secretary Godwin Grima to ask Mr Mifsud to investigate media allegations on Ms Schembri. This followed a recommendation by the internal audit and investigations board after a request by Ms Schembri herself.

MaltaToday has reported that Ms Schembri used her government office to conduct private business.

In order to focus on her defence, Ms Schembri will go on leave pending the conclusion of the investigation.

A temporary director- general will be appointed in the meantime.

Auditor Philip Rizzo was reported saying that he has a long string of detailed e-mails proving that she was using her Valletta civil service office to broker a deal to buy out an existing Casino di Venezia partner.

Ms Schembri faces two ethics breaches: that of having used her offices to conduct private business, as well as failing to declare a potential financial interest.

She has denied the allegations.

Ms Schembri is also a member of the EU anti-fraud agency OLAF’s supervisory committee.

OLAF conducted the investigation that led to John Dalli’s resignation as European Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner.

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