The final submissions in the case of 75-year-old “whistleblower” Joe Borg, charged with sending a defamatory e-mail trying to blackmail Rita Schembri, were made in court yesterday.

Lawyer Edward Debono, for Mr Borg, said that it was Ms Schembri who should be in the dock and not his client because he was doing his civic duty by alerting the authorities to her fraudulent activity.

The issue centred on the sub-letting of Mr Borg’s property to a Nigerian couple by Ms Schembri who allegedly took some €54,000 in key-money from the couple behind Mr Borg’s back.

Ms Schembri is being investigated at her own request for breach of a code of ethics when she allegedly used her government office to conduct a private business.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino, prosecuting, argued that it was amply clear and proven beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Borg had threatened Ms Schembri when he said that she had better pay money to the couple or he would report her.

Judgment is expected some time next month.

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