PN says it was proved right as former Sliema Mayor is sentenced to jail
Former Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech has been sentenced to a year in jail after being found guilty of bribery.
He was found not guilty of threatening Police Inspector Angelo Gafa'.
Sentence was handed down by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit.
Mr Dimech was arraigned after the council's former contracts manager, Stephen Buhagiar, claimed he was asked by Mr Dimech to pay a commission on his salary when he was granted his employment contract by the council.
Drs Joe Giglio and Stephen Tonna Lowell were defence counsel.
PN STATEMENT
In a statement, the Nationalist Party said the sentence handed down against Mr Dimech showed how right it had been to dismiss Mr Dimech as soon as he was placed under investigation by the police.
The PN recalled that as soon as it dismissed Mr Dimech, the Labour Party gave him refuge in its media and Mr Dimech went so far as to thank Joseph Muscat for the opportunity he was giving him to make himself heard.
For months, the PN said, it was attacked by Labour for having dismissed Mr Dimech.
Now time had proved how the PN was right and that it had acted with seriousness.
Time had also shown how the PL was populist and used everything that it could because the ‘end justifies the means’.
See also http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111024/local/court-1.390584
98 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Sandra Camilleri
Dec 5th 2012, 07:52
why not a suspended sentence given - for the past three months in the media serious cases worse then Mr Dimech got suspended for 2 to 4 years.
Too harsh a sentence.
Angelo Vassallo
Dec 4th 2012, 14:45
@ Victor Laiviera
Of course it will never end. The NiKki Dimech Saga continues, but this time it will be within the walls and fortifications of the centru nazzjonali LEJBURISTA.
Angelo Vassallo
Dec 4th 2012, 14:39
@ EDDIE privitera
EDDIE imma ISSA Nikky Dimech huwa MEMBRU SHIH tal-partit LEJBURISTA li inti tant tiftahar bih.
Edward Curmi
Dec 4th 2012, 09:20
@A.Mizzi...I suggest the PL do their research before jumping on the populist band wagon..it would save them another embarrasing situation like this !!
Anthony Mizzi
Dec 3rd 2012, 21:23
At the end of the day it was the PN that accepted Nikki Dimech to run on its ticket..... as it also accepted another PN Candidate on Sliema Local Local Council - Sliema's ex-Deputy Mayor, Mr. Silvio Zammit.
YES as is expected NOW , after PN keeping mum , they blame GONZI'S CHOICE of candidates on Joseph Muscat!
P. Zammit
Dec 3rd 2012, 23:14
@A.Mizzi ...who defended N.Dimech and offered him air time on TV when the whole story came out ?
Mario Pandolfino
Dec 3rd 2012, 21:02
Bhas-soltu decizzjoni hazina mil PL.Issa drajnijhom.
Mark Scicluna
Dec 3rd 2012, 19:11
Seems that everyone forgot that the PN media gave refuge to non other than Mintoff himself, who. according to them, was the devil incarnate....can this be worse than that?
Ruben Mifsud
Dec 3rd 2012, 19:52
Mintoff was not charged by the police, only by Alfred Sant!!!
Mark Scicluna
Dec 3rd 2012, 20:56
@ Ruben Mifsud, point being he still was PN's greatest enemy.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 3rd 2012, 17:03
The Saga of the PN-led Sliema Local Council continues.
Will it never end?
Joe Tabone
Dec 3rd 2012, 17:01
@ Edy Privitera,
Did you forget?? This was reported by Times of Malta online when the Sliema Mayor Corruption issue erupted
"The PN said it was shocking that Dr Muscat found it normal to associate himself and his party’s media with a former mayor who declared he had taken a bribe, for cheap political gain."
Kicked out of PN................but landed within the PL.
V Mercieca
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:42
The PN were correct when they saw a small smoke coming from a small fire like Mr Dimech, however where were the PN when there was a bigger smoke coming from big names in the party and in government?
It is another confirmation that GonziPN is strong with the weak and weak with the strong.
Tony Borg Borg
Dec 3rd 2012, 17:02
Sur Mercieca tista' ssemmi imqar wiehed ?
Andrew Cumbo
Dec 3rd 2012, 17:42
@Tony Borg Borg Kemm tistaqsi lill Franco Debono u jghidlek bizejjed nahseb anzi tkun taf iz-zejjed.
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:12
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101016/local/labour-leader-proving-to-be-weak-on-corruption-pn.331609
Now, why did Joseph Muscat decide to welcome Nikki Dimech with open arms when he knew what he was being accused about? Is Joseph Muscat soft on corruption? Is Joseph Muscat soft on those who have legal trouble? Is this the person you want to see as your PM?
G Scerri Ventura
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:05
Reconciliation what? Dr. Busuttil where?
S. Cuschieri
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:19
allahares jkun hemm reconciliation ma xi hadd li qabduh b'korruzzjoni...... are kemm takkuzaw lil pn b'nuqqas ta' serjeta u li huma wkoll korrotti kieku!
ara veru certu nies jikkummentaw biex ikunu tefghu it-tajn! veru ma tafux ma xiex se taqbdu!
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:31
@G Scerri Ventura
What Reconciliation ???? He was found guilty of corruption !! Your comment just shows the amount of damage done by One Media and Lejber in general!! People who are unable to be objective in their thinking; if indeed still able to think by themselves without extra help from OneNews!!
Eddy Privitera
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:23
Sinjuri ta' GonziPN- Nikky Dimech kien Sindku ta' GOZIPN mhux tal-PL !
R. Azzopardi
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:49
Iva veru, sewwa qed tghid pero malli qabduh ibaghbas, il-PN xkanawh il-barra, ma tawhx kenn bhal ma ghamel il-bravu taghkom biex jipprova jilghabha tal-helu.
Anthony Scicluna
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:52
Mela ghalfejn qbiztu ghalih?
S. Cuschieri
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:58
sinjur privitera
kulhadd jaf li kien sindku tal pn - pero il pn hadu l passi necessarji biex tinkixef il verita mhux hbew kollox!!! allura bhas-soltu m'inti tghid xejn bis-sugu!
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:32
PN kicked him out, Joseph took him ...
Nenu Cassar
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:54
Sinjur Privitera, veru kif ghidt int Nikky Dimech kien sindku fuq it-'ticket' tal-partit nazzjonalista. Imma kif in-nazzjonalisti ttendew bil kaz, warbuh mill-ewwel. Il-punt veru hu l-fatt li l-partit laburista fil-persuna tal-mexxej tieghu Joseph Muscat haddan mieghu lil Nikky Dimech. Nahseb li kien ikun ahjar li Dr Muscat wiezen sewwa l-konsegwenzi tal-agir tieghu.
Joseph John Camilleri
Dec 3rd 2012, 17:01
Ghaxxaqta Eddy. u min qalftu l'barra minhabba f'li ghamel...mhux il PN?. U l leader taghkom hadu mieghu, qabez ghalih u tah "kenn" biex jidher kemm hu gharef. Mela x'jaghmel meta jsiru affarijiet bhal dawn jekk jitla'?
Tony Borg Borg
Dec 3rd 2012, 17:07
Imma il-bravu Joseph laqghu meta kien jaf li hemm akkuzi serji ta' korruzzjoni. l-iktar li seta' jaghmel ihalli 'l-Kaz jispicca. Hemm tara l-immaturita' tahdem.
Eve Axiaq
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:09
U tal VAT bil-miljuni involuti fin-nofs wehlu sentenza sospiza! X'inhu jigri l-qorti?
Ronnie Callus
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:57
How comes that no suspended sentence was given?? There were more seious crimes which were dealt with such similar sentences.Justice seems not to be equal for all.
Mario Scicluna
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:48
@Giov DeMartino
Eh bilhaqq Giovann, nimmagina li jgibuh shabek tan NET TV u PBS (Net 2) ukoll, bi prominenza. Biss forsi tiskappalhom(x'kumbinazzjoni) li kien Sindku tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, li GonziPN u Paul Borg Olivier skartaw u warrbu, kif ghamlu lil wiehed benjamin minn taghom is-Sur John Dalli, tali li Net TV tattakhom bla hniena u rispett!
Joanne Micallef
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:32
And today we also read how the savage who broke a 12 year old's arm goes out scot free. Priorities Priorities
Mario Scicluna
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:32
@Giov DeMartino
Ta' tip tieghek nimmaginak li xi wiehed minn dawk li qbilt fuq dawk 4 miljuni Euros 'commission' (minghajr ircevuta) sabiex inxtrat Power Station minn fuq Yellow pages hux. Ukoll nahseb nigzitek xi ftit li waqa kollox fuq il-kuntratt ta' Parkeggi bi hlas hux Govann?! Eh tassew, int bhalissa anzjuz tgiddem duffrejk u mehdi x'se jigri mill kastell ta' GonziPN. U bir-ragun tafx!
Ann Vella
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:31
Good to see justice being implemented.....
Eddy Privitera
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:25
It will be good when justice is meted out WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR !
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:06
When the MLP held sway over Malta its version of meting out justice "WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR" was to suspend the Constitutional Court and to transfer judges from one court to another during the hearing of a case unless the judge meted out justice in accordance with Mintoff's wishes.
Noel Mifsud
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:28
It tnejn kellhom sindki li gerfxu, sinjal car li minn ikun fil poter ikollu tentazzjonijiet kbar.
J Mangion
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:15
slightly harsh......there are many more instances where people have been given suspended sentences for far worse crimes.
Ronald Zammit
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:15
For some odd reason the times had omitted to state that Mr. Nikki Dimech was a former " NATIONALIST " Sliema Mayor!!!...........
Leonard Cole
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:57
@ Zammit - PN statement confirms that he was together with other relavant details. Article should be read in full.
P Buħaġiar
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:11
Xin mhatra li fl-appell li x'aktarx jigi wara l-elezzjoni jigi liberat!
Leonard Cole
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:58
@ Buhagiar - would be the case as you said if PL are in Goverment
Vince Piscopo
Dec 3rd 2012, 20:58
U hallina Sur Cole!
Joseph Camilleri
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:09
What scares me that in this country a lot of attention is being given to young very good looking persons , these fail miserably when they come to decision making and behaviour.We expect good conduct, but unfortunately when we are expecting 20 year olds to behave when they run wild with buzzing and clubbing one cant expect any better.
I Bugeja
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:00
The problem is not the age, but the character and values of a person.
Look around and you will see that irrispective of the age there are a lot of problems, from construction companies to lawyers and from politicians to cleaners.
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:58
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101012/local/20-years-on-court-finds-that-lorry-sant-violated-human-rights.330898
Under lejber the word "JUSTICE" was a word without any meaning. Under PN Justice is regardless of the political color of the person involved; and please note that justice too much less then 20 years to be made!!
A.Felix Busuttil
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:53
Former NATIONALIST Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech has been sentenced to a year in jail after being found guilty of bribery. Il forka ghal isvinturat.
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:53
This shows that unlike what lejber says; under PN it does not matter who you are; or to which party you belong; if you are corrupt then you are going to face justice. Under lejber you could only dream to get justice if the accused was a lejber supporter!! Thanks to PN those days are over and being part of a party does not give you any type of immunity!!
A.Felix Busuttil
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:38
you made me lough this is the first time a PN candidate is sent to prison................
G. Bugeja
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:07
Mr Aquilina, are you really sure?
Eddy Privitera
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:00
A. Felix Busuttil. I believe that Nikky Dimech was no longer a GonziPn member. this may perhaps have made a difference.
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:08
@A.Felix Busuttil
You can laugh as much as you like but the facts show that PN ALWAYS TOOK ACTION AGAINST ANY CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS!! What did lejber do when in power? NOTHING!!
@G. Bugeja
Pretty much yes.
@Eddy Privitera
Changing version after you remember how lejber seem to always harbor those who have some sort of legal trouble???
Anthony Charles Abela
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:36
Jesus knew in his heart that those who wanted to stone Mary Magdalene had ulterior motives to do so. Perhaps some of them had slept with her and were afraid that she might talk. Malta is a den of hypocrites. during the war one man was caught with a ratal of sugar and was jailed. Who stole trucks full and in the process gave some to the right people, didn't. Justizzja ala Maltijja. sic. A.C.Abela
Joseph Fenech
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:31
The Socialist made a BANQUET not a mere meal out of the predicament of the former Mayor who was depicted as a sacrificial LAMB in order to throw mud at the PN and garner a few votes --- THEY JUST COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE LAW COURTS TO PRONOUNCE THEMSELVES .. ANOTHER IRRESPONSIBLE AND RUSH BLOOMER BY JOSEPH MUSCAT !!!!
Tony Mangion
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:12
It would have been a more complete picture had the Times added to the report, that by that time the Sliema Mayor was on the P.N. books.
Maria Spiteri
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:26
Prosit...well said!
M Mamo
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:29
and that he was invited to One TV and defended by Muscat
Ms Maria Vella
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:32
because all the people in the PL books are pure and not corrupt
get a life
Richard Caruana
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:35
Ex-PN books, Mr Mangion.
It was Joseph Muscat which however welcomed him with open arms onto Super One.
Steve M. Engerer
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:46
Agree that it would have been a more complete picture had The Times added to the report, that by that time the Sliema Mayor was on the P.N. books.,
However, it would also be appropriate that The Times also added that he was defended by Joseph Muscat & Co.
What do you think Mr Mangion?
John Scerri
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:50
Tony Mangion, Maria Spiteri.
If someone from your relatives is given a jail term does this mean that all your family is corrupt?
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:51
What a stupid argument! Indeed that is the GOOD about this news. He was on a PN ticket, he was accused of corruption, PN are in government and JUSTICE WAS STILL MADE!! How many under lejber where not given justice because the accused was lejber, an example; Lorry Sant found guilty by the HUMAN RIGHTS COURT for violating human rights!
This is an example of the GOOD change that PN brought us all!
dennis camilleri
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:57
I agree. Well said.There isnt a decent paper that tells the whole story.
Mario Busuttil
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:21
Now he is on the PL Books my friend....
Carmel Camenzuli
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:37
Sur Mangion. Nahseb li ghawn Malta tghix hux mhux fil-qamar. Taf li il-Mayor ta' tas- Sliema irid jitla fil-kunsill u jsir Mayor fuq it-ticket tal P.N.
Issa ghall li jista jkun ghadek tiftakar kemm laqaw Joseph Muscat b'idejh it-2 miftuhin berah u Is-Sur Nikki jirringrazzjah talli tah l-oportunita' jitkellem fuq li stazzjon 1u jekk minix sejjer zball anke fuq bla Agenda ?
Hallina nejxu siehbi.
Eddy Privitera
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:37
Sur Engerer: Tista tikkwota fejn u l-kliem li qal Dr. Muscat biex jiddefendi lis-Sur Dimech ? U tinsiex, huwa ILLUM li s-Sur Dimech instab hati !
Steve M. Engerer
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:54
@ Sur. Eddy Privitera
Insejt Sur Privitera meta is-Sur Nikki Dimech kien mistieden specjali fis-sala tal-konferenzi tal-Lejber u sellem lil-cameras?
Hekk hu, illum instab hati, imma l-Lejber tieghek dak in-nhar prova jiehu vantagg politiku billi laqaw fuq kull program immaginabli fuq is-SuperOne.
Il-Malti jghid 'Min jobzoq fl-arja jigi f'wiccu"
Eddy Privitera
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:05
Joseph Aquilina. You mention Lorry Sant about violating Human Rights. Have you forgotten that Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami had been similarly found guilty of having breached the Human Rights of Mr. Camilleri who used to work in the computer centre ?! Phone Dr. EFA if in doubt.
jm busuttil
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:31
Eddy dig dig dig
Miex qedt tigik wahda tajba. Isma minni the less said the better on this issue
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:40
@Eddy Privitera
Can you point me to a link, because I tried to search on Google and all I got is a news item about the Prestigious Schuman medal awarded to Eddie Fenech Adami.
fred sammut
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:09
ghalkemm nikkundana l Korruzjoni ... imma minn dawar ghalieh MILJUNI mil VAT wehel sentenza sospiza......
Joe Fenech
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:33
Maltese justice is an ass!
gaetano attard
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:57
imma tinsiex, li dawk kienu pn, u dan huwa pl. ittra wahda kemm taghmel differenza.
g.attard.
Peter Murray
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:06
Prosit.Lets have more appropriate and accountable sentencing to send out a clear message to these crooks masquerading as public servants .Is this guy an isolated and unique case or just that he broke the 11th Commandment-THOU SHALL NOT GET CAUGHT!
Bill Khan
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:02
@ Peter Murray
I think his crime was he got caught. There are far bigger fish in the shoal who are protected no matter what they do. The trick is to go for a big return (bribe) so you can feed those around you in position and power. Feeding alone does not always work. ferel sorry for the guy. He got caught when others indulging in far bigger returns get away. And always will.
John Zammit
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:22
I agree but how higher Government official are going to be treated
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:28
Who is/are the higher government official/s and for which proof of accusation, Mr Zammit?
Giov DeMartino
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:04
Il-lejla ghal fuq Super One.
Nazzareno Cortis
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:29
Giovanni---mhux diga qeghda fuq Times?????
Michael Magri
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:33
Wrong DeMartino.. Nahseb li peress li meta sar il-kaz imsemmi, Mr Dimech kien is-Sindku elett f``ISEM il-PN f`tas-Sliema, ikun ferm aktar xieraq u f``postu li jkun fuq NET tv.. Mhux hekk Gann...!!!!
Mario Scicluna
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:42
Ta' tip tieghek nimmaginak li xi wiehed minn dawk li qbilt fuq dawk 4 miljuni Euros 'commission' (minghajr ircevuta) sabiex inxtrat Power Station minn fuq Yellow pages hux. Ukoll nahseb nigzitek xi ftit li waqa kollox fuq il-kuntratt ta' Parkeggi bi hlas hux Govann?! Eh tassew, int bhalissa anzjuz tgiddem duffrejk u mehdi x'se jigri mill kastell ta' GonziPN. U bir-ragun tafx!
Joe Fenech
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:44
And what do you think they're going to say?, "Well done!" ?
R. Borg
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:46
Ghax fuq net tas sur John Dalli ingiibu
Gino Caruana
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:52
gino caruana
To remind you that this person was elected in the name of your nationalist party.....
P Buħaġiar
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:08
Minn l-eks Sindku Nazzjonalista tas-Sliema jew int? Kollox u xejn ma issier b'kumbinazzjoni f'dal Pajjiz tal-Klikka.
Victor Calleja
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:08
Mhux bir ragun sur Giov. Mur zommok kieku kien wiehed fuq il kotba tal PL.
Mario Scicluna
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:47
@Giov DeMartino
Eh bilhaqq Giovann, nimmagina li jgibuh shabek tan NET TV u PBS (Net 2) ukoll, bi prominenza. Biss forsi tiskappalhom(x'kumbinazzjoni) li kien Sindku tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, li GonziPN u Paul Borg Olivier skartaw u warrbu, kif ghamlu lil wiehed benjamin minn taghom is-Sur John Dalli, tali li Net TV tattakhom bla hniena u rispett!
Joseph Calleja
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:54
Dan huwa l-huta z-zghira Giovann! Tghid ghad naraw xi wiehed mill-gwappi li tant tiftahru bihom? Ma tantx hemm cans hux veru, il-gwappi jafu sewwa kif jahbu jdejhom. In-nies m'ghadomx cwieic, wisq izjed in-nazzjonalisti genwini Giovann.
Pierre Vassallo
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:02
And Muscat tried to make him look as the sacrificial lamb....another in a serious of wrong judgements by Muscat.
Joseph Borg
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:23
and the fact that he was a PN mayor has no weight upon your comments!
unbelievable how everything is Muscat's fault.
if it rains and we grumble its because of Muscat
if it's sunny and we grumble its because of Muscat
however if it rains and farmers wanted rain its thanks to Gonzi
and if its sunny and we want to go to the beach its thanks to Gonzi
simply unbelievable!
R. Azzopardi
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:28
@Joseph Borg,
Don't tell me that you forgot how Joseph Muscat stuck up for him?
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:31
@Joseph Borg
It is Joseph-hungry-for-votes-Muscat who puts himself in such stupid situations!!
Carmel Camenzuli
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:45
Well said Sur Vassallo.
Tiftakruh lill-Muscat jiggudika u jaghti parir lil-Gonzi biex ihares lejn Cipru?
Dak kien judizzju gravi aktar minn dan ghax araw x'inhu gej ghalina jekk Alla jrid fi ftit xhur ohra............
John Gatt
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:55
Issa naraw x'se jghid il-lejber... kemm iddefendih!
C Falzon
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:27
M ghandux xi jghid....inti ma tistax twahhal fi bniedem u tghid li hu hati qabel tkun iddecidiet il qorti. So m hemmx xi jghid.
Kurt Vella
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:51
Another handpicked Mayor of the PN sentenced for wrongdoing....and now we wait for developments about the case the Deputy Mayor of Sliema (now resigned from the post) Silvio Zammit is allegedly involved in.
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 3rd 2012, 13:57
Pity it was your beloved dear Joseph who defended him so much, while PN did the right thing and reported the whole thing to the Police; Can we trust Joseph would do the same; or Joseph will always see the political advantage of any decision he takes!!?
P Buħaġiar
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:14
Very good ONE. DeMartino Giov need some memory before writes senseless comments.
Please choose the reason of your report below: