Oil trader in 2011 tax fraud investigation
The Finance Ministry was tipped off in 2011 that rogue oil trader George Farrugia was committing serious tax fraud, an investigation was launch but it remains ongoing, The Sunday Times reveals today.
Documented evidence had been passed on to the Finance Ministry in August 2011 indicating rampant tax fraud at Aikon Ltd, a company belonging to Mr Farrugia. The oil trader was given a Presidential Pardon to tell all on the bribery ring believed to be involved in the Enemalta oil procurement scandal.
A spokesman for the Finance Ministry confirmed the information and said an investigation into tax fraud had been launched immediately. Asked if there was any indication of corruption in the original tip off, the spokesman said the information was about under declaration of turnover.
Read the full story with more details on a 2010 audit investigation in The Sunday Times.
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Noel Mifsud
Feb 18th, 20:12
Qedin sew f dal pajjiz, mela jekk tkun salesman go hanut u jigi tal VAT u ma tkunx hrigt ircevuta tehel 200, jew 400 jew 800 euro u jibatilek id dar fi zmien 15 days u jekk ma thallas ghandek imdendla sentenza ta habs, u nies bhal dawn ilhom sentejn jigu investigati u apparti hekk intuh mahfra presidenzjali. Qed nimmagina li din il mahfra giet tiswa hafna. Is sabiha il Kabinett ma kiex jaf, ?
carmelo buttigieg
Feb 17th, 22:22
I feel I should ask again. Are we sure that none of the GonziPN clique and affiliates knew nothing of this hodgepodge? Indeed the tip of the iceberg as someone said!
Rocco Camilleri
Feb 17th, 21:00
Dan kollu juru nuqqas kbir fid-dmirijiet li suppost ghandhom il-Ministri kif ukoll il-Prim Ministru li suppost qed immexxu l-Finanzi fis-sod tac-cittadini kollha.Mela hekk sew lilna jghidulna tithanzrux u haddiehor jiehu dawk il-mijiet ta' euro u commission.Dawn mhux kollha mill gharaq tac-cittadin onest li jhallas sa' linqas cent f'taxxa diretta u indiretta fuq servizzi u prodotti.Fejnhom valuri?
David Bezzina
Feb 17th, 20:16
As former PN Secretary General Frank Portelli said :''This is only the tip of the iceberg''.
Gaby Spiteri
Feb 17th, 20:15
How can many of you stick up to your red, or blue.? .. why cant we unite, and all, insist that justice is done with all the guilty ones, and we re compensated for the money they stole from our pockets, and kids. Who cares who they are.. justice for all involved please.. i m a single mother of two. And i work bloody hard to keep up with my bills!
T. Caruana
Feb 17th, 16:43
U AHNA ntellghu u nnizlu jekk nixeghlux il-heater fil kesha, halli min hu paxxut jixrob il whiskey mal fireplace u jiehu l-mahfriet. Mur prova saqsi jahfrulek citazjoni ghax tkun iparkjajt hazin ara jekk jidqux f'wiccek!
DEJJEQTUNA KOLLHA KEMM INTHOM. Gibtulna flusna u il-vot BLA VALUR.
D Borg
Feb 17th, 16:27
faced with coughing up 18% in VAT and then another 35% in tax, before even starting to take into consideration the hefty penalties and interest which would double the original amount due.....
it it very cost effective to opt to return the full amount and wringle out scot-free riding a presidential pardon!
GL Calleja
Feb 17th, 17:08
Only the second class citizens are obligated to pay Tax (Vat). The poor cannot afford to pay and the rich always find a loop hole to avoid paying taxes, and when and if they are caught they receive a Presidential Pardon. And then one wonders why we are called the most corrupt State in the EU.
M Saliba
Feb 17th, 15:49
Jekk din il-bicca xoghol tal-commissions ma tinqatax qabel l-elezzjoni, neħodha li l-gvern għandu x'jaħbi.Kieku għandu raġun jagħmel minn kollox biex il-verita' kollha toħroġ malajr. Il-Ħamis li għadda kien ser jibda l-proċess fil-qorti, u issa ġie postpost kollox.
Jos Borg
Feb 17th, 17:03
Proset. Good comment
Joseph Buhagiar
Feb 17th, 17:26
The truth will never be known whatever happens. Those who have the memory should remember what Dr, F. Adami said once. We should never allow people In Power for more than 10 years. All of us do not stand to gain (except the few tal klikka) They really have the power and they take risks and we know it! Vote them out same as we did to LP once.
Joe Tabone
Feb 17th, 18:45
@ M Saliba,
I'm sure you remember the 'Barunijiet' of 1996, but what did LABOUR (MLP) do? NOTHING!
Not only but they may be back, just ask Deputy Leader (PL) to clarify what he said 'on tape'!
R. Cilia
Feb 17th, 15:39
All these allegations against this man but he still gets a Presential Pardon! He must be someone's favourite boy ( and by that I don't mean his mother)
Giov DeMartino
Feb 17th, 15:29
Talking of presidential pardon: Lorry Sant who was to be accused in connection with the fracas at the law courts was given such pardon because, it was said, of ill-health. We had a PN govt. at that time
Joseph Buhagiar
Feb 17th, 17:28
That is news to me.
GL Calleja
Feb 17th, 17:35
Mr DeMartino and you believe that? Of course not. Politicians look out for politicians no matter what party they favour. You know, I scratch your back and you scratch mine?
Giov DeMartino
Feb 17th, 18:01
It IS a fact and Fenech Adami was criticized for that. The Flavour of the Mintoff Era p 114: Lorry Sant's lawyers put in a plea for a presidential pardon on the grounds of ill-health which was granted.
Tony Mangion
Feb 17th, 18:02
It seems that you are against the pardon handed to the late Lorry Sant many years ago because of health difficulties. Are you sure that the P.N. is always at fault. in giving out such pardons?
Giov DeMartino
Feb 18th, 08:28
Tony Mangion asks me, of all people, whether I am always finding fault with PN. No comment.
GL Calleja
Feb 17th, 15:11
It seems this country is in need of a big change, not necessarily a change of government but of leadership. The last few weeks all the oil seems to be coming up to the surface, one scandal after the other and it seems there is no end to it. God forbid there are any politicians involved in this last oil bribery scandal and that is yet to be found. Is this Presidential Pardon a cover up?
D Axisa
Feb 17th, 15:11
Why wasn't this taken strait away to the Police as in the VAT Tax evasion case sometime back and in which the head of the Vat Department was given the annual bonus because as the minister had said that he helped in putting the things in place after the case!!!
G. Caruana
Feb 17th, 14:57
And we were led to believe that increase in prices was because of the 'economy'. What crap!
This is no Democracy and it is not the will of the people.
E. Azzopardi
Feb 17th, 14:47
But, for goodness sake : How long is "ongoing?" It's been two years now.
Why does everything take so much time to be solved in this blessed country, eight years into the EU??
And what was the outcome of the other tax and VAT frauds? Can the blessed CITIZENS of this country know?
G. Caruana
Feb 17th, 15:03
Because he is part of an elite group. They are psychopathic (unable to feel remorse or empathy). The only reason this guy got a pardon was because he pledged to bring other psychos down. They are never sorry and have no regrets.
And this gene will also manifest itself in the PL should they come to power.
Michael Vella
Feb 17th, 13:46
This George Farrugia should now be given a Gieh Ir-Republika medal too........trouble seems to follow him (or more likely, vice versa)
M Calleja
Feb 17th, 13:41
Nispera li dan George Farrugia kellu u ghad ghandu Avukat tajjeb....
j brincat
Feb 17th, 13:34
Time for reflection.
Imagine 5 more years under GonziPN
Imagine 5 more years of much of the same
Imagine the arrogance
Imagine having spent 30 years of your lives overshadowed by the same PN banner
How many 30 years are there are in one’s life?
Change invigorates, challenges, cleanses, stimulates and empowers
Only the privileged few fear change
Think change for a change!
jb
L Zammit
Feb 17th, 15:23
That reflects badly on a weak opposition and a feather in the cap for the government.
Alan Vassallo
Feb 17th, 16:06
I agree 100%
Dolores Galea
Feb 17th, 16:21
labour has nothing to offer
K Sammut
Feb 17th, 17:20
@Dolores Galea ... I presume that you didn't read the PL's programme. Also, try and identify what the PN has to offer, after all these corrupted cases and inefficiencies led by the PN?
Stephanie Vella
Feb 17th, 17:37
People in their senses would consider change only if the other OPTION is significantly better than what we have now. In what way does the other option inspire trust of doing better for our country? Does a promise of resignation if the new power station is not finished in 2 years inspire trust for difficult times as an example? CORAGGIO FUGIAMO! Would you trust capt. Schettino for your next cruise?
Michael Magri
Feb 17th, 17:42
OMG you PN Apologists.. You realy make a lot of us lough you know....!!!
j brincat
Feb 17th, 13:26
This leads one to conclude that the Ministry of Finance was aware of this case!
Did he kept it a guarded secret to himself or else did pass the info higher up?
The more we read the more it becomes a messy story!
Meanwhile, while this sorry saga was unfolding , we the poor honest citizens were paying the highest W & E billed ever!
Is this right?
jb
cesco di luigi
Feb 17th, 13:23
If you are own a snack bar, you keep an eye on what's going in and out. On your suppliers, products, costs, your sales price etc. If the price of a hobza goes up one cent you are immediately aware, if sugar is cheaper in bags than cubes you keep up to date etc. AG should have resigned without question. It's symptomatic cabinet's incompetence that he was allowed to hang on. PN's mill-stone.
Jos Borg
Feb 17th, 13:18
The tax fraud investigation is onTotsa commission agent fees of $1 per metric ton or per 8 barrels of oil. If a barrel of oil costs $100, Farrugia received $1 per $800 sold to EneMalta.
The problem lies with the second commission paid on arrangements to continue to buy from Totsal. Commission figures vary from 10 to 15%. So on $800 of oil the taxpayer paid an additional $80-$120 which went where?
Joe Tabone
Feb 17th, 13:12
@ James Grech,
Why it is imperative that we vote for change but retain the PN Government:
1. An impressive employment record despite economic turmoil
2. Continued investment in education and retention of stipends (NOT loans as PL introduced)
3. Yearly records in Tourism
4. Continued fight against corruption (while PL cover up for the Barunijiet both in 1998 and now 2013)
5. investment in Health
Pierre Fenech
Feb 17th, 13:06
The more i read the more i get convinced that my decision to switch vote is going to be the right one. Seems like many others feel exactly the same. It is healthy for the country to have a fresh new leadership which can at least clean up the webs created after s many years. Nothing new this is so common abroad.
Stephanie Vella
Feb 17th, 17:27
Help me out ..a fresh new leadership would be the ideal case scenario ONLY if there is an alternative leader to choose. A leader DOES NOT:
Resign when things don't go as planned (Joseph's promise re new power station)
Send his wife for an official visit (Dr. Calvagna) just because views differ
Encourage bus loads of supports to attend a University Meeting
The above spells FEARFUL load and clear!
Stephanie Vella
Feb 17th, 17:27
Help me out ..a fresh new leadership would be the ideal case scenario ONLY if there is an alternative leader to choose. A leader DOES NOT:
Resign when things don't go as planned (Joseph's promise re new power station)
Send his wife for an official visit (Dr. Calvagna) just because views differ
Encourage bus loads of supports to attend a University Meeting
The above spells FEARFUL load and clear!
Pierre Fenech
Feb 17th, 17:53
Stephanie a leader does not let the few around him do whatever they like with him. Does that help you enough? Ask fellow disgruntled nationalists who saw this arrogance conquer the party. Not all nationalists think like us but those 8-10% will most probably be enough to guarantee a breath of fresh air. Believe me this will be also for the good for PN as it will get rid of the GonziPN syndrome.
Mary Borg
Feb 17th, 21:56
2. No party has a monopoly on any section of the population. If even students are fed up of this stale government, then there must be something terribly wrong about this administration.
patrick cutajar
Feb 17th, 12:59
Dan l-iskandlu qisu propja "expanding foam" jikber bis-sekondi!
patrick cutajar
Feb 17th, 12:58
Dan l-iskandlu qisu propja "expanding foam" jikber bis-sekondi!
MARITA MICALLEF
Feb 17th, 12:10
can everybody please stop naming what happened thirty years ago as it is past and a change of government showed that we needed a change but consider if we do want the change or not as in these last years their are more fraud investigations to investigate that are very important like the 4.5 million missing ,98,000 fraud .contacts given to the friends of friends or family
Paul Giordimaina
Feb 17th, 20:54
Marita mid dehera ma tridc tisma bil passat tal PL ghax ihamarlek wiccek kun af li il passat mera tal futur.
Mary Borg
Feb 17th, 21:58
Min jiskongra jrid ikun pur Sur Giordmaina. Tinsiex li 60s ihammar wicc il-PN. Pero mhux se naqa fil-baxx u nuza t-tattika tieghek ghax ahna nharsu lejn il-futur. Min jimxi u jhares lura jispicca johodha ghal wiccu.
Noel Mifsud
Feb 18th, 20:26
Marita I agree, we have to look forward. The problem is that under the Government it is difficult to find he truth when the PM is saying that he believes what AG said and done. Kif tista ikollok process san meta emmint li qalulek.
James Grech
Feb 17th, 12:07
Why is change imperative? 10 important points:
i. because of the VAT scandal
ii. the oil procurement scandal
iii. the public transport flop
iv. the BWSC scandal
v. cabinet MPs took €500 per week behind our backs
vi. because public TV is in shambles
vii. politicians rarely shoulder responsibilities
ix. blunder-prone politicians do not call it a day
x. because cliques must be dissolved
J Martinelli
Feb 17th, 13:11
You can wrap all the above and more and lay them at the door of one past Labour minister for just one month out of 16 years of corrupt practices, not behind anybody's back and right under the nose of the prime minister who was being blackmailed by the same minister.
Thomas Rubicon
Feb 17th, 14:39
You left one very important item out ,the rape and pillage of land given to developers when this development is clearly not of benefit to the country! Never, in the space of 5 short years, has so much ODZ land sacrificed to the building industry barons.
That's why I will be voting for the PL for the governance of the next 5 years. If they do the same, they will get the same treatment next time
GL Calleja
Feb 17th, 14:51
xi. Because CEOs of Government run Ferries have the gall to call back a Ferry to return to Port because he and his family were late arriving to the pier at Mgarr Gozo?
XII. Or maybe because certain Air Malta employees have the gall to delay a scheduled flight full of paying passengers for 35 minutes at the Milan airport and treat that incident like nobody did anything wrong.
GL Calleja
Feb 17th, 15:00
Mr Rubicon may I remind you that it was the PL (AKA MLP) that requisitioned (confiscated)many private properties in the early seventies.My father's property in B'kara was requisitioned(Confiscated) in 1974 under the leadership of Dom Mintoff (MLP).My question is why is this government sanctioning that government take over up to this day and I cannot get my property back? All I want is what is mine
L Zammit
Feb 17th, 15:25
@ThomasRubicon: And I bet you will one day regret it.
M Grima
Feb 17th, 12:03
Il-froga qieghda tikber u aktar ma tikber aktar qed tinten!
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Feb 17th, 12:02
This never ending saga is showing how really 'par idejn sodi' that the PM stated he had was really just a political gimmick. On the otherhand. Is the Minister of Finance sure that the case against George Farrugia, that of tax fraud, is not a 'frame up'? A similar 'frame up' that Minister Austin Gatt mentioned in regard to the emails about the oil commissions?
M Grima
Feb 17th, 12:02
So, after 17 months the tax fraud investigation has not yet been finalised! WOW.
If 17 months have not been enough to finalise the investigation are we expecting that if GonziPN wins the next election we shall have to wait another 17 months to finalise the Enemalta Oilgate scandal. Is this the change Dr. Gonzi is preaching about?
We, the citizens of Malta have a duty to end all this.
Massimo Gatt
Feb 17th, 13:48
We have the RIGHT to end off of this. The citizens are the highest power of judgement come 9th March. I just hope that if Labour are elected, the people that have committed these crimes are made to pay back!
Carmel Zammit
Feb 17th, 12:02
As Michael Jordan says "If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome." Meaning that Gonzipn's scaremongering would only lead to more corruption, injustice, arrogance, disrespect and fact twisting to mention but a few attributes.
Alfred Vassallo
Feb 17th, 11:59
This man seems to to have an umbrella for all seasons, rain or shine, because it seems that this government either kept eyes wide shut or took years to investigate without any results. I and thousand of others seriously wonder why?
James Grech
Feb 17th, 11:58
Why is change imperative? 10 important points:
i. because of the VAT scandal
ii. the oil procurement scandal
iii. the public transport flop
iv. the BWSC scandal
v. ministers took €500 per week behind our backs
vi. because public TV is in shambles
vii. ministers never ever take political responsibilities
ix. PM defends mostly blunder-prone ministers
x. Malta is held ransom by a clique of cliques
M Grima
Feb 17th, 11:56
Minn igawdi mill-korruzzjoni vera ghandu futur fis-sod!!!!
James Grech
Feb 17th, 11:53
Someone said"BUT PN administrations have always done what is humanly possible to combat corruption"What abt the whistle blower's act, party financing law & removal of prescription over politicians?What abt all the conflicts of interest & the corrupt practices found by the auditor general?What abt politicians that never shouldered any political responsibilities? We def.need urgent political change!
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 17th, 12:53
About Whistle blowing ask Toni Abela who for political convenience shielded a possible drug trafficking case to the detriment of the entire population, particularly the younger ones.
M Grima
Feb 17th, 13:31
@Joe Micallef
Storm in a tea cup Joe.
Even the Police Commissioner was of the same opinion. If you want to talk about scandals you are free to comment about the Enemalta Oilgate scandal and about this tax fraud.
James Grech
Feb 17th, 14:10
It is unfortunate that some ppl tend to believe more their party's spin rather than what a police commissioner had to say abt the case. GonziPN PN boasts abt letting the police do their work properly. When these do, GonziPN makes up its own truths, in an attempt to go above their heads. Unbelievable!!!
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 17th, 18:07
Grima whilst there is no legal duty to report, I expect politicians to uncover drug trafficking. It's a moral issue which I don't expect you to understand!
peter camilleri
Feb 17th, 11:51
Let all be assured that no results will emerge before the election is over.
M Grima
Feb 17th, 12:06
Seems like it is taking this direction!!!
Tonio Grech
Feb 17th, 11:44
The finance minister is responsible for the failure of the Rev Departments to collect €1.2 billion in tax and vat, more than half of which is considered as not collectable. This staggering figure is an update on the AG's annual compilation on arrears of revenue. This is definitely a good record for the finance minister. Well done Tonio and you stated that if elected you will fight tax evasion?
T. Caruana
Feb 17th, 11:42
They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king
from the song Sweetheart Like You by Bob Dylan 1983
Peter Spiteri
Feb 17th, 11:41
Money is the root of all evil.
Tonio Grech
Feb 17th, 11:37
Yesterday our dear Prime Minister said that the Maltese have no reason whatsoever to evade taxes because taxes in Malta are low. There must be some mistake here since according to the primeminister no one under declares turnover!!! He must be living on a different island. Is he not aware of a very recent study showing that Malta’s black economy’s size is calculated at 25.8 per cent of GDP?
jm busuttil
Feb 17th, 11:21
Why are Labour criticising the Presidential pardon. Jaqaw they know something. We will definitely know before the elections
Any information Eddy Privitera?
Interesting.
Who laughs last laughs best.
Mr Stephen Borg
Feb 17th, 17:28
It is nice of you to remind us this saying but it cannot surely be used as regards the current administration because they have been laughing for a very very long time and it is now up time for them to stop laughing and go ti the opposition benches.
Mr Mike Farrugia
Feb 17th, 11:20
Utter incompetence by ministers and ministries. Complete mismanagement of public funds. PN, you will pay for this mess just like MLP did in 1987.
Anthony Portelli
Feb 17th, 11:26
Actually labour paid in 1981 but they clung on and on and on till the last day. A lot of people seem to forget snzzzzz
Wally Vella-Zarb
Feb 17th, 12:39
Anthony Portelli, in 1981 the MLP had a majority in parliament as laid down by the Constitution at that time. For more than fourteen months the PN has remained in government even though it did not have a majority in Parliament, thereby going against the Constitution. Super Simon himself admitted on television that they could not pass certain laws "ghaliex ma kellniex maggoranza fil-parlament".
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 17th, 13:01
Vella zarb your revisionist post is disgusting at best. The MLP had a majority in parliament because of calculated and illogical abuse of electoral districts!
M Grima
Feb 17th, 13:36
@Anthony Portelli
Don't worry people will not forget especially the Enemalta Oilgate scandal which only surfaced up a few weeks ago. They will also not forget the VAT scandal, the Transport Malta scandal, the BWSC scandal, the Arriva scandal, the Fairmount scandal, and the scandal involving the PM and his cabinet when behind our backs they entertained themselves to a weekly payrise of €600.
R Axisa
Feb 17th, 14:47
Wally Vella-Zarb - meta Peppi saqsa lil Simon ghaliex il-ligi tal-Whistleblower m'ghaddhietx, Simon qal li fl-ahhar sena il-gvern ma kellux il-maggoranza. Din kienet veru skuza banali - il-Whistle blower act kulhadd riedha, inkluz Franco Debono u l-PL - zgur li kienet tghaddi mill-parlament. Ma kienitx kwistjoni ghax il-gvern kien tilef il-maggoranza. Kien il-gvern stess li allura ma riedhiex.
Charles Micallef
Feb 17th, 11:13
I am told that Enemalta has €1million oil expenditure daily, expect that the Minister who was given the responsibilities for Enemalta would keep a very close eye on the biggest single expenditure that the Island affords and not leave the chore of oil procurement to others and whose sole intentions was to make personal gain from the responsibilities given, as this case has proven!
T. Caruana
Feb 17th, 10:49
Kif ghadu ma xebax il-poplu?Nies jisirqu kull familja Maltija jinaghtaw mahfra ghax il-ligi mhijiex bsahhitha tinvestighom.Hadd ma gietu f'rasu li kien hemm xi haga hazina wara l-ghola prezzijiet ta dawl u ilma fl-Ewropa?Partit fl-oppozizjoni jaghamel studji ma kumpaniji privati. Xi hadd jahseb li il vot Fadalu poter? Il-vera poter nogezjonaw al mahfri u jitressaq kulhadd bil-ligi!!
M Vella
Feb 17th, 10:40
" TUTTI UGUALI" my left foot.
Paul Sammut
Feb 17th, 10:38
I pay all the taxes due to my country and I expect that Dr A.Gatt pays his and if he did not pay he has to be fined or taken to court. We demand to know whether he has any tax evasion and we want to know now. It seems that from what Dr G att said, he has not declared his whole income to the Tax Department. By keeping low it means that he has evaded tax. How stupid he thinks we are ?
Eddy Privitera
Feb 17th, 10:37
I believe an investigation should be held in the income-tax department on how certain people are harrased by the department, while others are treated with velvet gloves
Michael Seychell
Feb 17th, 11:58
Eddie Can you prove the allegations you are making, if you do not prvide any concrete proof than just shut up.
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
M Grima
Feb 17th, 13:41
@ Mike Seychell
Calm down Mr. Seychell and if the electorate gives its thumbs up to Dr. Joseph Muscat, the citizens of this country will breathe fresh air again, free from corruption and all the evil we have been subjected to in these last 25 years. Good day.
Joseph Apap
Feb 17th, 10:33
Where were most of You in the late seventies and ealy eighties
Corruption was institutionalised at that time
Dont ask people who were only born in the late seventies or eighties they will not believe anything
Victor Caruana
Feb 17th, 10:46
U l-punt tieghek x'inhu? Li ghandna naccettaw dawn l-affarijiet fis-sena 2013 ghax kien isir hekk qabel? U ghax qabel kien hazin, ifisser li issa sar tajjeb ghax hemm il-Pienne involuti?
M Grima
Feb 17th, 13:23
Two or three wrongs never make a right.
Are you implying that everyone should close both his eyes to the mother of all scandals just because there were wrongdoings in the 70's and 80's? Are you also implying that any wrongdoings in the 70's and 80's were justified due to the wrongdoings of the 60's? I hope not.
R Axisa
Feb 17th, 14:52
Joseph Apap - U ghalhekk kienet importanti l-bidla fl-1987. Izda issa dal-gvern qed jaghmel l-istess, jekk mhux aghar, minn dak li kien isir f'dawk iz-zminijiet. Il-PL progressa 'l quddiem filwaqt li l-PN ghamel rigress qawwi.
David Farrugia
Feb 17th, 10:31
And I fork out the taxes!! Anxiously awaiting the 10th of March. Let justice be served under a REAL democracy.
Giov DeMartino
Feb 17th, 10:31
Corruption has been with us in the past, it is with us now and it will stay with us in the futured, BUT PN administrations have always done what is humanly possible to combat corruption whilst under past MLP governments corruption was istitutionalised=, had its own minister and was often condoned. Today PN activists accused of corruption /sacked by PN /given standing ovations by Labour.
Carmel Zammit
Feb 17th, 10:47
The corruption index published says it all. Malta slipped mercilessly down the last corruption index published. Need Gonzipn get any better certificate for its administration? Gonzi never accepted the outcome but it is now surfacing up. And mind you the sums involved are mind boggling. Definitely a record by any measure.
Giov DeMartino
Feb 17th, 11:00
Carmel Zammit: But the present administration AT LEAST does it best to eradicate corruption. It is NOT PART of the corruption. Under labour the whole party was corrupt. In fact George Pullicino felt offended bec he was compared to Lorry Sant. And he WON the case. Paying to get a TV set, to get a telephone, to get a permit, to get a flat, to get a job. A govt job was offered as 1st prize lott
M Saliba
Feb 17th, 11:01
Corruption is institutionalized now more than ever. We are hearing that are persons receiving commissions on payments of a million euro a day on HFO whilst the Maltese were paying hefty energy bills. I cannot remember a larger scandal under PN or MLP.
John Mifsud
Feb 17th, 11:04
Is this why the PN's popularity is slipping in the polls, day in day out?
There was never a time like now that Nationalist sympathisers are leaving the PN, and above all, join openly in PL's activities.
Does'nt all this give you any food for thought that not all is well in the PN's political camp?
Joseph Sammut
Feb 17th, 11:26
And by what standards do you measure humanly possible?
Carmel Zammit
Feb 17th, 11:35
I will not make comparisons. Going by what is being reported though it looks like this oil affair dumps them all. We have yet to witness a case of this magnitude happening on these islands. Lets wait and see and lets learn from what emerges so that nothing of the sort happens again. This is why the whistleblower act should not have been shelved and why prescription should cease to exist.
Mario Bonnici
Feb 17th, 12:15
Sur Demartino
Jien nahseb iktar bil-kontra qed jigri. Il-kriminali li kecca l-PL mill-kazini tieghu gew ghandkom jaghtukom recording mehud bil-mohbi sabiex jippruvaw jivvendikaw minn Dr Toni Abela.
Giov DeMartino
Feb 17th, 12:42
Mario Bonnici: B'dak biss taf int? Possibbli? Fil-kaz dak ma niahsibx li tista' ssejjahlu korrott. Min ibaghbas bid-droga ma jidhirlix li hu korrott.
L-ohrajn KOLLHA . Fi zmien il-lejber il-korruzzjoni kienet bla limiti. Jerkk tridu tafu, ghax il-post haw ma jippermettix, Fittxu Bical Scandal fuq l-internett u mbaghad, jekk jibqghalkom sahha, kellmuni. Kuragg Ed!
Ramon Cassaro
Feb 17th, 10:25
My son emigrated to Australia over 2 years ago and before he left he paid all his Taxes here and told the tax office that he is going to Australia,last year 2012 a letter was sent from the Tax Office to my son and was told to pay 50 Euro fine + 8 Euro int.for not filling his tax form for the year that he was already in Australia. Well I had to pay the fine for my son, " Heqq x`taghmel "
Charles Bugeja
Feb 17th, 10:20
donna l-korruzzjoni saret xi haga li tghaddi - u jien kull sold irrid niddikjarah ghax malajr nircievi xi tahrika!!!
Joe Tabone
Feb 17th, 10:37
Charles,
If your measure is Labour (PL) and their Deputy Leader you are right?
But the present PN Government is fighting corruption and every case is investigated and people are prosecuted. NO ONE is above the law from the Chief Justice to the village Mayor, if you are corrupt you pay!!
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 17th, 10:19
Issa forsi George Farrugia jaghtuh mahfra tal-income tax mal proklama li ma swiet ghal xejn ghax silenzu perfett.
Eddy Privitera
Feb 17th, 10:17
Only God knows what may emerge if there is a change of government ! This investigation seems to have taken so long and would certainly not be concluded BEFORE 9 March ! Rest assured that if GonziPn is re-elected, IT WILL NEVER be concluded !
Paul Giordimaina
Feb 17th, 10:31
Eddie why making so big fuss remember Lorry Sant and the Linfa he declared for 5 pounds your party was the biggest corrupt government in the history of Malta.
Carmel Zammit
Feb 17th, 10:42
@ Paul Giordimania
It has yet to be seen who presided over the biggest corruption cases. Seems to me that Gonzipn is more interested in alienating than taking the bull by the horns. Time will tell Mr. Giordimania. Stand by you may experience a shock in the near future!!
Victor Caruana
Feb 17th, 10:48
U mbilli ssemmi li gara' 30 sena ilu qed tiggustifika li qed isir issa? Jekk qabel dan kien hazin, issa sar tajjeb ghax involut il-gvern tieghel?? Hemm bzonn bidla halli din l-arroganza tinqata'.
Paul Cassar
Feb 17th, 09:43
IMBROGLI GALORE.......................under gonzipn in everything, everywhere, everytime......................who are
those ready to give another chance to such a government .......................if not those on the same gravy
train?????
Joe Tabone
Feb 17th, 10:16
Paul,
Why don't you remind everyone that LABOUR (PL) NEVER took any action against corruption...........remember the BARUNIJIET? What did Labour do? Are these the same Barunijiet at the Labour (MLP) club in the emerging Toni Abela (PL) scandal?
Eddy Privitera
Feb 17th, 10:22
Joe Tabone: Labour had been only 22 months - NOT 25 years - in government, Sant no one can accuse him that he wouldn't have acted by introducing the Whistleblower Act had he were allowed to govern for the full legislature ! Dr.Gonzi has no reason to justify his failure to ACT and not just speak, about corruption !
Joe Tabone
Feb 17th, 10:33
Edy,
Stop the excuses, Labour had been in Opposition for 9 years, but had NO PLAN, just like today! The present PN Government has improved legislation to fight corruption and people are being caught and prosecuted, What about Labour (PL)? Ask the Deputy Leader? Who are the new 'Barunijiet'? Or rather the same OLD ones !?!
Carmel Zammit
Feb 17th, 10:38
@ Joe Tabone
There is no Toni Abela scandal. Dr. Abela has been cleared by the Commissioner of Police. The same Commissioner always indicated by Dr. Gonzi. Or have you lost trust in the Police Commissioner now? By the way did you forget about the attempted but failed bribery of a Gozitan MP? Of course action was taken when matters surfaced.
JOHN WHITE
Feb 17th, 11:44
Hallina Eddy fi 22 xhar tista taghmel hafna affarijiet.Fosthom iddahhal 22 taxxa gdida,tohrog bl-ideja li tintaxxa d-dranagg,taxxa fuq il-medicini,tnehhi l-istipendji,tnehhi l-applikazzjoni tal-eu etc etc etc.Allura dik il-bicca ta only 22months trid tnehhija.Apparti hekk 25 yrs-22 months ma jibqawx 25yrs my friend ! Infakkrek ukoll li fi zmien Mintoff il-korruzzjoni kienet xi haga Galore !!
Tony Borg
Feb 17th, 09:24
I suspect that this chap is being set up to be the fall guy. I think that the only reason will be to cover up for someone else. I doubt that he acted alone and that no one knew what was going on for so long.
Luciano Pace Parascandalo
Feb 17th, 09:19
the pardon does not cover this as it only cover things related directly to the oil purchasing issue....however it would be interesting to note that probably the tip off was anonymous and it would make you wonder if someone was still carrying a grudge for mr farrugia
Adrian P. Cassar
Feb 17th, 09:18
First of all I find it unbelievable that any tax fraud would take more than 2 years to investigate.
The investigation only involves tracing the money through invoices, bank transfers and direct questioning....it could take weeks and months...but years??? Why werent police involved? we are speaking of millions here. Unacceptable!!
And shouldn't all this raise a red flag? Oil tenderng by a tax fraud
Simon Cutajar
Feb 17th, 09:10
Ukoll ! Issa mishom ihalsulu xi criuse tajba madwar l-ewropa !! Imbad tehel citazjoni u trid thallasa fiz-zmien xahar ghax tehel multa !!
Nicholas Magro
Feb 17th, 09:07
U minn suppost kien jaf b'dan il-kaz ta; korruzzjoni? Il-Ministru tal-Finanzi li huwa wkoll il-Ministru responsabbli tal-Enemalta!
U Alla jbierek ma jindunax b'dan kollu.
U minn jaf x'baqa x'jinkixef???
Whistleblowrs Act Please. Urgently!!!!!!!
Luciano Chetcuti
Feb 17th, 08:57
Nispera li l-provi u d-dokumenti ma jintilfux!!
Ronnie Callus
Feb 17th, 08:55
Issa qed jghidu li George Farrugia kien qed jigi investigat. Jista xi hadd jitwemmen li l-Ministru koncernat ma' kienx maghraf mid-Direttur tad-Dipartiment tat-Tax Compliance Unit. Jista xi hadd jasdal biex jemmen li Dr.Gonzi (suppost Prim Ministru) tac-cittadin ma' kienx maghraf b'din il-bicca.Fejn hi l-Onesta taghkom ma'cittadin fejn bil-wicc tost qed titolbuh il-vot tieghu. Veru tal-MISTHIJA.
C Busuttil
Feb 17th, 08:52
The more I read the more I am convinced I am doing the right thing in not voting.
C J Vassallo
Feb 17th, 10:10
Wrong thing you mean - it will still effect you every time you flick that switch. You may think you can escape it but you will still pay for it.
Eddy Privitera
Feb 17th, 10:27
C. Busuttil: Think again. Your duty IS TO VOTE these people OUT OF GOVERNMENT ! That is, if you want urgent steps to be taken by Dr. Muscat and the PL to fight corruption . Be also a part of this movement to bring a radical change to the way politics has been done in the past !
Giov DeMartino
Feb 17th, 11:03
Wrong Mr Busuttil: Choose the lesser of the two evils though I don't agree that the present adm is evil. We don't want to go back to the modern Time of the Tyrants. Then it would be too late.
JOHN WHITE
Feb 17th, 11:37
Take the opinion of our friend Eddy & vote for the new movement (hmm sorry i mean the new labour with a new mask but still the same labour) so we will have 3 Mosta churches.
Carmel Zammit
Feb 17th, 11:46
@ Giov DeMartino
It is precisely because we do not want to stay under these tyrants that we should all vote PL. I am tired of this Dr. AG.'s arrogance and of Tonio Fenech's too. Additionally Gonzi seems more interested in deviating attention interfering and alienating than let corruption be investigated serenely. Was the Euro 600 pay rise the cabinet gave itself an act of humanness or tyranny?
M. Spiteri
Feb 17th, 11:52
When someone thinks like 'i shall vote the lesser of two evils' shows a distinct intellect where the current status quo, albeit disastrous, is a preferred choice because You fear change. And that, my friends, is the poorest of arguments.
Andrew Camilleri
Feb 17th, 08:49
Minn qal li hemm it-tahwid...povru cittadin.
Paul Giordimaina
Feb 17th, 10:49
Now you doing it as a good samaritan Eddie what if he is going to vote PN do you still going to tell him to vote?
James McIntosh
Feb 17th, 08:29
Will these allegations be deemed invalid now he has a Presidential Pardon for his testimony.
M Grima
Feb 17th, 08:23
Oh, the Enemalta Oilgate scandal is becoming more interesting. So, even the Ministry of Finance under which the tax authority falls had a clue that something was very wrong where George Farrugia and his companies were involved! Is this a frame-up too?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 17th, 08:18
Lets hope the presidential pardon does not cover this allegation as well. Zeppi's pardon included two other charges which were unrelated to the RCC attempted murder. I would not be surprised if this happened again here. The more Gonzi defends this pardon, the more convinced I am that it was the most suitable action to protect his party's interests.
Eve Axiaq
Feb 17th, 07:56
Ghaddew sentejn mill-bidu ta l-investigazzjoi u ghadhom mhux lesti.
Darrell Borg
Feb 17th, 11:18
issa mur int ha tlesti kollox s'ghada
Joseph Gili
Feb 17th, 07:40
Povro poplu, kif kellu jispicca. Igri jasal 10 ta` Marzu ha naqtaw dawn il-ktejjen kollha.
Edgar Gatt
Feb 17th, 08:46
Wara 10 ta Marzu tispicca il korruzjoni kollha u hullhad isir vergni. U hallina tridx.
Mark Muscat
Feb 17th, 08:48
X'ha naqtaw, xi blokka bajda tghid? Fej jidhol il-bniedem hemm il-hmieg u dan ma jista jbiddlu hadd
Giov DeMartino
Feb 17th, 09:10
U MMMMMEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAA. Mela int fejn kont fi zmien il-Lorry?
C Sant
Feb 17th, 09:36
Or the time that someone called Karmenu Vella had berthed a yaght full of goodies at Tunny Net, Mellieha! By the way, it seems that this Guy is still around and kicking, writing the PL programme and maybe soon to be a minister!
Pule' Carmel
Feb 17th, 09:54
Where there is muck there is money and where there is money there is plenty of muck. We all need to start wearing Muck Boots ( see Google) for the ground we are walking in Malta is worse than any farmyard or a pigsty.
Denis Pace
Feb 17th, 10:22
u nitfghu MAZRA m'ghonqna!!
Eddy Privitera
Feb 17th, 10:29
Edgar Gatt: Mhux kullhadd se jsir vergni. Izda zgur li se jittiehdu l-passi kollha biex taghmilha difficli ferm ghal min irid ikompli ihaxxen butu . GonziPN DAN M'GHAMLUX !
Eddy Privitera
Feb 17th, 10:32
Giov DeMartino: X'kien allura m'ghamiltyux il-ligi tal-Whistleblower halli jekk kien hemm il-korruzzjoni fi zmien il-Labour, kienet tkun tista tinkixef ?? Jaqaw kien hemm min kien implikat ukoll illi kienu nazzjonalisti maghrufa ????
Darrell Borg
Feb 17th, 11:30
eddy xkien ma resaqiex il partit tieghek il ligi tal whistleblower ? Stajtu tresquha, bhall ma resaqtu il mozzjoni biex tisfiducjaw il haddiehor, imma le ghax dejjem tridu li kull kaz issir ballun politiku, kontu tohorgu iktar ta irgiel, imma fl oppozizjoni ghamiltu 9 snin u maghmiltu xejn ghal gid , lanqas programm elletorali ma lestejtu fil hin.
JOHN WHITE
Feb 17th, 11:34
Ghax jigi kollox fuq ir-rubini tghid int,hallina Joe.
@ Eddy Privitera
Saqsi lil xi hadd li ghadu jdur mas-saqajn li kien fil-kabinett tal-perit (ghax mhux se nidlek saqsi lil Lorry Sant ghax ilu d-dinja l-ohra) halli jghidlek x`kien isir.
Please choose the reason of your report below: