A seventh man was yesterday arraigned in the Enemalta smart meter scandal, which has seen two of them being jailed for two years after pleading guilty.

Technician Anthony Pace, 43, from Mosta, pleaded not guilty to bribery, unlawful exaction of money as a public official and defrauding Enemalta, his employer.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit did not object to bail, noting that a government scheme granting amnesty to consumers who paid technicians for tampered meters had now closed and the prosecution did not fear evidence being tampered with.

Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi asked Magistrate Anthony Vella to keep the bail bonds in line with the other cases. He pointed out that, last week, two men facing similar charges were granted bail against a deposit of €1,500 and a personal guarantee of €8,500.

Magistrate Vella granted Mr Pace bail on the same conditions.

The scam was uncovered last June 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 allegedly linked to the scam have been suspended.

The other six men arraigned are technician Emanuel Micallef, 35, from Mtarfa and Anthony Mifsud, 50, a skilled labourer from Baħrija, who were granted bail last week after spending weeks behind bars.

Technicians Paul Pantalleresco, 55, from Mqabba and Carmel Vella, 55, from Żejtun admitted to bribery and defrauding the corporation and were jailed for two years.

Richard Gauci, 47, from Rabat, admitted to the charges and is awaiting judgment.

Martin Cilia la Corte, 49, a cleaner from Marsascala, was named as a middleman between the Enemalta and the consumers and is pleading not guilty to charges of fraud.