Former Enemalta chairman Alex Tranter. Photo: Jason Borg

Though it is not known who was driving two Enemalta cars when 14 traffic contraventions were committed, the police decided to prosecute former chairman Alex Tranter as company funds were used to settle the fines.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla said in court yesterday the two leased cars – a Honda Accord and an Alfa Romeo GT – had been assigned to Mr Tranter between 2006 and 2010. The contraventions included illegal parking, obstruction of a garage and parking on a pavement.

The officer said that, although assigned to Mr Tranter, the two vehicles were also used by senior management members. However, the police did not investigate who had been driving the car when the traffic offences were committed.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mr Tranter, 51, from Swieqi, who is denying misappropriating public funds by using the corporation’s credit card for various transactions.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Tranter made personal use of Enemalta funds when he served as chairman between 2005-2010 but particularly in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

I do not know who physically committed these offences

“I do not know who physically committed these offences. The only evidence I have is that the fines were paid through an Enemalta credit card. I don’t know whether Mr Tranter did it. Once the car was assigned to him, even though used by others, Mr Tranter should have paid them himself,” Mr Abdilla told defence lawyer Joe Giglio. Dr Giglio asked whether ministers paid for traffic fines themselves when their drivers were responsible for it or whether it was the government that would foot the bill. The witness did not reply.

Mr Abdilla said the police had also investigated a €7,900 refund on a trip to Miami in October 2008. According to the police, Mr Tranter’s wife had joined him on the trip but Mr Abdilla said he could not confirm this as a fact because he had not questioned Ms Tranter. Neither did he check whether a visa had been issued for her trip to the United States or whether she had applied for one.

Card transactions were carried out by the holder but Mr Tranter’s PA also had access and could make transactions too, the officer said. He confirmed that neither the Finance Department nor the auditors had questioned the amount.

Mr Abdilla said, when asked, that Mr Tranter had written to him this July, following his interrogation, asking for more information and documentation that could shed light on the Miami trip as he could not remember specific details. He also told the police that, if there was some kind of mistake, he was prepared to refund the money.

However, the police had decided not to give such documentation to him even though this was at hand. Instead, it was exhibited in court yesterday.

The case continues next month.