Corruption claims by a Gozitan contractor involving an aide to Education Minister Evarist Bartolo were not communicated to the police by the ministry, a spokesman said.

“The police did not receive a report related to corruption”, the spokesman said when asked on whether the Education Minister or any of his officials informed them on the serious allegations made with a view to investigate.

“The allegation made was about defamation and criminal action was taken in relation to such offence. In fact, no details were given about corruption claims,” the police spokesman said. “However,” he added, “the police are monitoring all evidence produced in court and will take appropriate action where necessary.”

A senior official of the Foundation For Tomorrow Schools (FTS) claimed in Mr Bartolo’s presence last August that Gozitan contractor Giovann Vella, of GV Gozo Developments, had informed him that a minister’s aide had asked for €30,000 so pending bills could be settled.

Arthur Muscat, the FTS’s chief operating officer, also informed Mr Bartolo in the presence of other officials that Mr Vella’s claims were made in relation to Edward Caruana who was overseeing the Gozo sixth form extension project. Mr Caruana, who denies the allegations, is the brother of Joseph Caruana, the permanent secretary at the Education Ministry.

The police have started defamation procedures in court against Mr Vella.

The incident was first revealed by the Times of Malta last April. Soon after, a spokesman for the Education Ministry said that, upon hearing the claims, Mr Bartolo had insisted with those present at the meeting that the police would be asked to investigate.

When the police said they had not received any request to probe corruption claims, this newspaper went back to the ministry again and a spokesman said: “Two reports were filed by FTS officials Robert Ciantar and Edward Caruana on July 28, 2015 and in September 2015. Both statements referred to the allegation of corruption and this is also documented in the police reports. Last month, the permanent secretary also wrote to the Police Commissioner following court proceedings.”

Testifying in court in the slander cases against Mr Vella, the permanent secretary was chastised by defence lawyer Joe Giglio after it transpired he had not reported the corruption allegation against his brother to the police.

Mr Caruana insisted he was not in duty bound to ask the police to investigate the claim.

ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com