The Police Commissioner has instituted “disciplinary action” against two officers after they allegedly hurled verbal abuse at Gozo Ministry employees during a search at the Victoria offices, Times of Malta has learnt.
It is not clear what action was taken against the officers, who allegedly shouted at and even threatened ministry employees during the search earlier this week.
When asked what would in fact happen, the police media relations unit would only say that disciplinary measures were being taken.
Ministry employees contacted by Times of Malta said the police officers “turned the ministry upside down” and swore at the director of projects and development, Joseph Portelli.
One employee said she heard officers stamping their feet and telling Mr Portelli he would regret not cooperating.
When contacted, Mr Portelli declined to comment, saying he did not want to “make things any bigger than they already are”.
He did not want to make things any bigger than they already are
Another employee, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she had been ushered out of her office as police officers emptied drawers and rummaged through papers.
Police officers were ordered to lift documents from the ministry after a whistleblower claimed that, under the previous administration, the former Gozo minister’s husband made use of State funds to offer free works for constituents.
The claims, reported by MaltaToday last week, revolve around Giovanna Debono’s husband, Anthony, who allegedly had been tasked by the Gozo Ministry to carry out free of charge cement, concrete and construction works on quarries, private homes, roads and even garages owned by constituents.
The police have been given a number of invoices reportedly issued for various jobs, including an illegal garage in a quarry, private works for a Nationalist Gozitan mayor, works on a restaurant near Victoria, works on private homes and even a fireworks factory.
All the material, including cement, metal mesh and stone, were provided by the Gozo Ministry, it was claimed.