Nine questions sent to Nexia BT about the Panama scandal remain unanswered despite its managing partner asking for them to be e-mailed “for my consideration”.
Health and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi publicly declared it was the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Keith Schembri, who advised him to speak to Nexia BT and set up a trust in New Zealand and a related trading company in Panama.
Nexia BT, which has been Mr Schembri’s audit firm in his privately-owned company, the Kasco Group, reportedly also gave advice to Mr Schembri on the setting up of a trading company in the British Virgin Islands prior to his involvement in the Prime Minister’s team.
Dr Mizzi pointed the finger at Nexia BT when it emerged he had failed to declare the New Zealand trust to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, a breach of the Income Tax Management Act, saying his advisers had not told him about it.
In recent days it emerged from the leaked Panama Papers that Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri last August twice tried to open bank accounts in Dubai and Panama to be able to populate their trading companies. Dr Mizzi told Parliament this was part of a service offered by his financial advisers, adding he had signed no papers to open any accounts.
Kindly forward your questions by e-mail for my consideration
According to worldwide banking rules, no bank account can be opened without the consent of its owner.
Notwithstanding the above, Nexia BT has opted to remain mum.This newspaper sent questions to managing partner Brian Tonna but they remain unanswered. Phone calls to his personal assistant also proved futile.
It was only on March 10 that Mr Tonna communicated with the Times of Malta, asking for the questions to be sent to him by e-mail.
“Kindly forward your questions by e-mail for my consideration,” Mr Tonna said.
Since then nine reminders were sent but Mr Tonna has yet to reply.
Questions sent to Brian Tonna on March 10
1. Do you confirm that Nexia BT has given advice to Minister Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri to open similar trusts in New Zealand and a trading company in Panama? What was the scope and why didn’t you advise them to open a similar vehicle in Malta?
2. Have the two clients paid for your services? Can you provide us with a VAT receipt, please, and other proof of payment?
3. Minister Mizzi has publicly said your firm’s advice was not right and that he was wrong to heed such advice, especially on the Panama company. Do you accept this?
4. Minister Mizzi has said that his advisers (I presume Nexia BT) did not know he had to declare his trust to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. Isn’t this basic for such a reputable firm like Nexia BT?
5. Did your firm also forget to advise Mr Schembri that he had to register his trust with the Commissioner of Inland Revenue?
6. Following the revelations on Minister Mizzi and Mr Schembri, Gordon Cordina and other members of your firm packed up and left. Please confirm and explain the reason.
7. Do you confirm that you [Brian Tonna] have a desk at the Office of the Prime Minister in Castille and spend many hours at the OPM, normally every Tuesday and Thursday?
8. What is your role at the OPM and do you work on the instructions of Mr Schembri?
9. Was Nexia BT contacted by Nexia International over the ongoing revelations? What is the state of play with your mother firm?