Former Transport Minister Austin Gatt with the cutting from MaltaToday. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiFormer Transport Minister Austin Gatt with the cutting from MaltaToday. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Pardoned oil dealer George Farrugia regularly donated cash to former Transport Minister Austin Gatt during the 2008 electoral campaign, MaltaToday editor Saviour Balzan claimed in court yesterday.

But Mr Balzan insisted that he never said or implied that Dr Gatt had received any kickbacks over the procurement of fuel by Enemalta.

He told Magistrate Francesco Depasquale that according to information he had, Mr Farrugia and his brother Ray had offered the use of Valentine Hall in Ħamrun free of charge for some two or three months to be used during the campaign.

Apart from this, there were also monetary contributions as well as the use of a BMW for some seven weeks during the 2008 campaign.

He said it was well known that the Farrugia family had previously been political supporters of the de Marco family, but had switched allegiance to Dr Gatt after 2004.

Dr Gatt’s lawyer, Joe Zammit Maempel, vociferously objected to the claims being made, saying these assertions were based on hearsay evidence which was not admissible in a court of law.

Mr Balzan was testifying during libel proceedings filed against him by Dr Gatt over an article that appeared on the newspaper in January 2013 which alleged meetings were held between Mr Farrugia and the former minister. At the time, Mr Farrugia was being investigated by the police over the receipt of kickbacks for the procurement of fuel to Enemalta.

In no way am I saying that Mr Farrugia asked for or was given something in return

A few days after the article appeared, Mr Farrugia was granted a presidential pardon to say all he knew about the scandal.

Dr Gatt had denied ever discussing fuel procurement with Mr Farrugia and Mr Balzan in court insisted that he never said or implied that Dr Gatt had ever received any kickbacks over the procurement of fuel.

In e-mails, Mr Farrugia frequently referred to the meeting he had held with the minister responsible for Enemalta, referring to him in some as “Aust” or “AG”.

Mr Balzan pointed out the possibility that Mr Farrugia could have been exaggerating his close ties to the minister when conversing with oil procurement companies such as Totsa and Total.

However, he said he wanted to correct the impression being given that Dr Gatt knew Mr Farrugia simply as a constituent. The editor said he was informed that Mr Farrugia had “gone out of his way” to help Dr Gatt.

Mr Farrugia had publicly stated that he had made a one-time €2,000 donation to Dr Gatt’s campaign in 2008 but Mr Balzan claimed he was informed regular donations were made.

“In no way am I saying that Mr Farrugia asked for or was given something in return, but this is what had happened,” Mr Balzan said.

When Dr Zammit Maempel asked whether all these claims could be confirmed, Mr Balzan replied there were “third persons” who could confirm it. To this Dr Zammit Maempel said the claims could not be confirmed as they were all untrue.

The case continues on May 18, when Mr Balzan is expected to be cross-examined by Dr Zammit Maempel.

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