Updated: Man, 75, charged with blackmailing Rita Schembri
A 75-year-old man was remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to blackmailing Rita Schembri.
Ms Schembri is the director general of the Internal Audit and Investigations directorate, a post she has vacated temporarily for the period of an investigation.
The investigation is being held at her request following allegations that she used her government office to conduct private business..
Ms Schembri is also the Maltese member of the OLAF supervisory committee.
The court heard that Joseph Borg, of Swieqi, sent an e-mail to Ms Schembri threatening her that unless she did as he said, he would be passing on to the authorities information he had about her.
The defence argued that Mr Borg had ended up being accused of a crime because he had asked Ms Schembri to refund money she owed two people.
It is understood that Mr Borg rents an apartment to Ms Schembri, which she sublet to two foreigners for around €56,000.
Mr Borg was also charged with defaming Ms Schembri's husband.
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16 Comments
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George Azzopardi
Nov 25th 2012, 17:11
and GonziPN saga continues...
R. Cilia
Nov 25th 2012, 10:31
Fifty six thousand euros VAT included?
M Vella
Nov 25th 2012, 09:41
Somebody wants to silence this man?
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 25th 2012, 10:10
There is much more than the eye meets in this saga.
mark borg
Nov 25th 2012, 07:37
how much from the 56 k is she declaring ?
Ramon Casha
Nov 25th 2012, 07:36
Was it blackmail, or was he giving her an opportunity to pay her debts before taking the matter to the authorities?
Jonathan Camilleri
Nov 25th 2012, 06:21
Under which law is blackmailing illegal, was it considered as extortion under the criminal law?
John Holmes
Nov 25th 2012, 00:40
Maybe the skeptics in the Union, were right to say Malta is conservative and probably in some regards Primitive! On the other hand it is good to secure someone who can escape to Brazil ! Wow, I thought the elderly should be treated better.
Charles Micallef
Nov 24th 2012, 22:50
The mind boggles!
mark johnson
Nov 24th 2012, 22:37
Unless there is a clause in the rental contract stating that there can be no sub-letting then I can't see what the problem is.
Jimmy Ventura
Nov 24th 2012, 22:26
Does someone wants to silence this lad?
Christian Sciberras
Nov 24th 2012, 22:08
How does this count as blackmailing when it was not for personal gain?
"Pay up your due, or I'll report you to the authorities" <- Is this blackmail?????
Francis Grech
Nov 24th 2012, 18:19
A 75 year old man remanded in custody for blackmailing a woman I hope that this episode want take 20 years to be heard in court other wise the other the old geezer won't be around,good luck nan.
Noel Cutajar
Nov 24th 2012, 22:01
Mhux dik ghidli, l-ghagla kif tressaq malajr...u kazijiet ohra jiehdu xhur biex jitressqu l-Qorti!!!
Mario Busuttil
Nov 25th 2012, 08:56
In a week's time ,he will be bailed out ...no worry....
A Galea
Nov 26th 2012, 15:23
@ Noel Cutajar. Ghamel google search fuq dal persuna u b'garanzija f' inqas minn kwarta tifhem ghaliex ittella b'urgenza. Ghall-ahbarijiet dan is-sit biss taraw jaqaw?
Please choose the reason of your report below: