A court this morning heard several people testify how they paid three Enemalta employees to install tampered smart meters in their premises.

The witnesses were testifying in the compilation of evidence against Martin Cilia La Corte, Anthony Mifsud and Manuel Micallef

Legal proceedings against the consumers has been waived following an amnesty given by the governemnt condition that they testify. 

During the first sitting, Enemalta engineer Christopher Cutajar exhibiting four smart meters taken from Enemalta clients, Patrick Rizzo, Emanuela Tanti, Brian Relton and Brian Cassar.

Brian Cassar, from Marsascala said Mr Cilia La Corte had gone to his home and told him that he knew how to bypass the power meter system. They agreed to instal  the system and he called with another man called Paul and started working on the meter. An hour later the work was finished and he paid him €1,200.

Patrick Rizzo, from Msida, said Mr Cilia La Corte had asked him for  €1,000 to rig the meter. He found that steep and the accused then asked for €500, which he accepted. Mr Cilia La Corte took the meter and some time later returned and re-installed it.

Brian Relton, from Marsascala said he was told aboout meter tampering while having tea in a bar. He was also given a phone number. He called and the accused later turned up with another person. He paid him €2,000 for the altered meter.

Johann Tanti from St Julian's said he had two meters, one of them in his pastizzerija. The accused had asked him if he was interested in rigging the meter. At first he was scared and then he said yes. Mr Cilia La Corte asked for €5,200 to replace the meter at the pastizzerija . Weeks later the meter at his home was replaced for €1,600.

The court then continued to hear evidence against Anthony Mifsud, who is facing the same charges. 

Enemalta presented three meters which had been installed in premises belonging to John Mifsud, Charles Bellia and Christopher Zammit.

John Mifsud, from Mosta, said that some two and a half years ago, someone offered to rig the meters for him.  He accepted. After a couple of days, two men came to install a meter at his home and he paid €1,200 to the accused.

Christopher Zammit, from Naxxar, said that early in 2012 he was approached by Victor Scoberras, an Enemalta employee, to rig smart meters. A few days later, he met him near his house. The accused had another person with him. They agreed to replace the meter and the job was done within a few days.  He paid the accused €2,000.

Charles Bellia, from Mosta,said the accused had told him he knew how to rig  meters so that they would under-read fuel consumption. He then turned up with another person, whom he knew as being  Pantalleresco,and he paid the former €1,500.

In the third case to be heard today, against  Manuel Micallef, witness Giorgina Baldacchino from Qormi testified that the accused told her that he could rig her meter and she woudl be charged less for electricity. She agreed and paid him  €1,200 for this special meter.

Victor Schembri from Birzebbuga said a person, called Lawrence, in Luqa told him he knew someone who could rig the meters. Later someone called him at home and told him he would be calling on the next day. The accused turned up, took the smart meter and returned a few days later. He paid him €1,400.

Joseph Pace from Qormi said that while an Enemalta technician, who was the accused, was at his home replacing his meter, he told him that he had heard about rigged meters. The man replied that it could do the job for  €1,200, which he later reduced to €1,000. He paid him and the job was done there and then.

The case continues.

 

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