A magistrate this morning heard how most of the landlords of lease agreements attached to companies registered by accountant and auditor Joe Sammut's office admitted their involvement in the provision of the bogus residential addresses.

Many of them told the police during interrogation they had been approached by a Libyan national, by the name of Ali, and they agreed to provide their addresses.

The details emerged during the testimony of police inspector Lara Butters during the compilation of evidence against Mr Sammut.

The 58-year-old former Labour Party treasurer and candidate stands accused of helping Libyans set up companies in Malta in order to obtain residency permits using forged documents and fraudulent means.

Mr Sammut, from St Paul’s Bay, is also charged with misappropriation and non-observance of the due diligence expected of him in his professional capacity.

As the compilation of evidence against Mr Sammut continued before Magistrate Doreen Clarke, Inspector Butters explained that investigations had revealed a total of 14 addresses that featured on the majority of applications.

She said the police went to 12 of the addresses but found that no Libyans were living there so a decision was taken to summon the landlords. Some of them were vacant properties, she said.

The inspector said the police spoke to all 10 landlords. One of them, Conrad Pisani who was behind three addresses, admitted his involvement with the police and explained how a Libyan, Mr Ali, had approached him regarding his properties.

He told police his car wash business was not doing so well at the time and he needed cash. Mr Pisani accepted to have his address used and admitted he knew it was a bogus lease agreement. He twice received €50 payments. The inspector said Mr Pisani also admitted forging his father's signature on the lease agreements. His father knew nothing of these deals, the inspector said.

Desmond Falzon, who lives at The Gardens, also admitted to allowing Libyans to use his address to be able to open bank accounts and companies in Malta.

Another landlord, Claude Cefai, whose properties featured on several lease agreements, told the police he had met Mr Ali and agreed to allow him to use two addresses: one in Naxxar where his father, John Mary Cefai, lived and another one in St Paul's Bay which was the family's summer residence.

Yet another landlord, Maria Turkodan, who was also behind several lease agreements, told police she had met Mr Ali at the hotel where she worked and he asked if clients could use her apartment. She also admitted that no Libyans ever lived in her apartments.

Simon Attard, a self employed who lives in Pembroke, said he never signed any lease agreements but had been approached by an acquaintance called Amar Sultan who wanted to receive post at his address. Mr Sultan was one of Mr Sammut's key professional introducer who used to introduce potential clients.
David Paris, another landlord of property in St Pauls Bay, said he did not recognise the address as this was not his. He denied signing any lease agreements.

Inspector Butters continued to explain how the police investigations had taken shape and the several interrogations carried out. She said she had interrogated Mr Sammut as well as his five employees specifically about the procedure they used to register companies for Libyan clients.

The case continues next month. Police inspectors Jonathan Ferris also prosecuted.

Senior lawyer Michael Schiriha and lawyers Franco Galea, Simon Micallef Stafrace and Martin Fenech appeared for Mr Sammut.