Two men charged in connection with the Enemalta smart meter scam were granted bail after spending weeks behind bars.

Technician Emanuel Micallef, 35, from Mtarfa, whom witnesses said they had paid to be given tampered smart meters that would under-register electricity consumption, had been remanded in custody on February 15.

The other man granted bail, Anthony Mifsud, 50, a skilled labourer from Baħrija, has been in preventive custody since April 2.

Magistrate Carol Peralta granted bail against a personal guarantee of €8,500 and a deposit of €1,500 each.

Both men are facing charges of defrauding Enemalta and bribery.

The smart meter scam was uncovered in June last year when two meters were found to be under-registering consumption by up to 92 per cent.

On further investigation, the corporation found that meters were being rigged and installed by technicians in exchange for an average €1,200 per installation.

So far, 12 workers with links to the scam have been suspended.

Paul Pantalleresco admitted to bribery and defrauding the corporation and was jailed for two years.

Carmel Vella also pleaded guilty to bribery and defrauding Enemalta of about €3,000 and was also jailed for two years. They are both corporation employees

On Tuesday, Enemalta fitter Richard Gauci pleaded guilty to the charges and is awaiting judgment.

During the compilation of evidence against Mr Gauci, the court heard that he had offered rigged meters to customers.

One such consumer, Robert Vella, testified that, after a fuse blew at his house, Mr Gauci arrived to replace it.

Mr Gauci told him he could offer him a new smart meter that would under-register consumption. He first asked for €1,200 but they then settled on €1,000.

Two days later, Mr Gauci turned up with the tampered meter and Mr Vella said he paid him cash. The meter was installed in September 2012.