Former Enemalta chief project officer Ray Ferris, 51, of Sliema this morning became the seventh person to be arraigned in connection with the oil procurement scandal,  pleading not guilty to aggravated fraud, trading in influence and corruption.

He was granted bail against a deposit €3,000 and a personal guarantee of €50,000. His lawyers - Veronique Dalli and Kenneth Grima, had requested that his bail conditions reflect his financial situation since he is redundant.

Prosecutors Supt Paul Vassallo and Insp. Angelo Gafa, however, pointed out that he had received a lump sum of €64,000 when he had been made redundant. His lawyers pointed out that his family, including his daughter who was studying abroad were living on this money.

Mr Ferris, who is now unemployed, was charged after he allegedly accepted a silver plate from George Farrugia, who has been granted a Presidential Pardon to testify in the case.

Sources said it is also being claimed that Mr Ferris requested a sum of money from Mr Farrugia in connection with a favour.

Superintendent Paul Vassallo and Inspector Angelo Gafa are prosecuting.

Former Enemalta financial controller Tarcisio Mifsud;  ex-member of the corporation’s oil procur­e­­ment committee, Alfred Mallia; former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone; his one-time adviser Frank Sammut; Cassar Ship Repair chairman Anthony Cassar; and Francis Portelli of Virtu Ferries have been charged in connection with the scandal.

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