The EU’s anti-fraud agency has not yet concluded its investigation into a group of local councillors charged in Malta with defrauding the European Commission.

OLAF officials had still to speak to the suspects to get their versions of events before closing the case file, sources close to the investigation said.

The case first came to light when OLAF noticed that a large number of airline tickets for which reimbursement was sought all cost the same.

Magistrate Edwina Grima heard that the tickets were issued by KD Travel Services Limited to the Local Council Association and to its members, who had private accounts with the travel agency.

The total amount reimbursed totalled €96,000. Handwritten invoices indicated one fare whereas a computer printout showed a fare that was markedly lower. One ticket, for example, was marked as costing €599 when it was bought for €446, according to evidence produced in court.

The councillors, who are all pleading not guilty, are: the deputy mayor of Birkirkara, Doris Borg, 76; the former mayor of Mellieħa, Joseph Borg, 71; the mayor of San Lawrenz, Noel Formosa, 39; the former executive secretary of the Fgura local council and former LCA secretary, Oreste Alessandro, 63; the former mayor of Kalkara, Michael Cohen, 54; former Qrendi local councillor, LCA member and MEP, Claudette Abela Baldacchino, 38; and former LCA president and former Gżira local councillor, Ian Micallef, 42.

KD Travel Services Ltd director, Kenneth DeMartino, 51, of Swieqi, and the company’s general manager, Paul Cortis, 56, of Naxxar are also pleading not guilty to fraud.