Alfred Mifsud and the allegations made against him are expected to be discussed during a meeting of the Central Bank’s board of directors today, the Times of Malta has learnt.
Sources close to the Bank said that although the meeting had been scheduled for “quite a while” and the agenda already set, the corruption allegations that surfaced against Mr Mifsud, the deputy governor, were likely to be raised.
When contacted, Central Bank governor Josef Bonnici would not comment on the matter and neither would he speak about his views on Mr Mifsud’s case. He would only say: “It is too premature to comment.”
Prof. Bonnici would not even say what he meant by “premature”.
Mr Mifsud’s former partner, Anna Zelbst, the mother of his two children, alleged that he received bribes when he was chairman of Mid-Med Bank, 20 years ago.
He has denied any wrongdoing and instituted legal action. He said the allegations were motivated by “revenge and hate from a failed personal relationship”.
Mr Mifsud was being mentioned as the likely successor of Prof. Bonnici but he has now asked the Prime Minister not to consider him for the post.
It was Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who first confirmed that Mr Mifsud’s name “was one among others considered by the government” for the governorship.
When asked whether Mr Mifsud should remain as deputy governor in view of the serious allegations made, Prof. Scicluna was quoted as saying the decision rested with the Bank’s board of directors.
However, banking sources pointed out that the board could find itself in a quandary as to what to do in such a situation.
The Central Bank Act lays down that the governor and the deputy governor are appointed by the President of Malta, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister. The sources said the directors could find it “very uncomfortable” discussing or deciding on a person who was appointed by the President.
Apart from Prof. Bonnici and Mr Mifsud, the board includes Alexander Demarco, another deputy governor, and Victor Busuttil, Philomena Meli, Peter Baldacchino and Romina Cuschieri, members.
In comments to the media over the past days, the Prime Minister advised caution when dealing with the matter, noting that the Central Bank was an autonomous institution.