The idea of getting whistleblower protection in the ‘works for votes’ scandal was first floated by a Gozo Ministry consultant to a former client of his, a court heard yesterday.

Contractor Joseph Cauchi, known as Is-Sansun, met Gozo Ministry officials last October complaining he was owed about €50,000 by the ministry for works carried out in private properties under the previous PN administration. According to the contractor, the works had been done on the instructions of Anthony Debono, the husband of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono, in a bid to secure votes.

In April, Mr Cauchi was granted protection under the Whistleblower Act and Mr Debono was arraigned with 13 charges being brought against him, including misuse of public funds.

Lawyer Grezzju Mercieca, who is also a Gozo Ministry consultant, said at the Gozo court, presided over by Magistrate Neville Camilleri, that Mr Cauchi had referred to various jobs in private properties like the surfacing of country paths, works at various garages, a restaurant in Victoria and the Għarb football pitch.

The case was handled by the ministry’s permanent secretary and I am no longer involved in it

Dr Mercieca said he knew the contractor because he had been his client. Asked by defence lawyer Joe Giglio who had come up with the idea of offering the contractor protection under the Whistleblower Act, Dr Mercieca said it was he.

He pointed out that the case was handled by the ministry’s permanent secretary and that he was no longer involved in it.

Dr Giglio yesterday referred to the Attorney General’s refusal to the request by the defence to view a copy of the police file on the case. The Attorney General said that was not possible because the investigation was ongoing. He said the idea was to examine the statements made during the investigation and compare them with the testimony given in court.

The lawyer argued that such documentation should have been made available following law changes made last year in line with an EU directive. Dr Giglio said the only grounds for refusal would be if such documents were not in the public interest or violated fundamental rights. In this case, however, this did not apply, he insisted.

The case was put off to November 18. Police Inspector Ian Abdilla is prosecuting.

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