Four men were yesterday cleared of running a brothel but two of them were found guilty of illegally employing four female Romanian dancers at Maximus Club in Buġibba.

Frank Cachia, 37, of Msida, Michael Ciappara, 71, of Cospicua, Mario Ciappara, 36, of Qawra and Anthony Azzopardi, 28, of Ħamrun were originally charged with running a brothel.

Mr Cachia and Michael Ciappara were also charged with illegally employing the four women and Mr Azzopardi was further charged with illegally working as a security guard.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Miriam Hayman, heard that the police raided the club where they found a number of private rooms containing poles for dancing and even Jacuzzis.

Police Superintendent Sharon Tanti told the court that she had found four Romanian girls dressed skimpily, wearing just bikinis or underwear, adding that the women were dancing on poles and sitting at the bar chatting to customers.

In their evidence, the girls said they had been given strict instructions not to offer sex at any time to customers and were only to perform striptease or lap dances for customers. They were paid between €11.65 and €34.95 for a lap dance or a striptease in one of the private rooms.

The court found that the girls did not have the sufficient work permits enabling them to work freely in Malta. It said there is no evidence to suggest or prove that the girls were receiving money for sex or sexual acts.

It heard that the club did not have the necessary permits from the Malta Tourism Authority.

Mr Cachia and Michael Ciappara were fined €5,000 each for illegally employing the four women.

Mr Azzopardi was found guilty of working as a security guard without a permit. He was fined €1,182.

Mario Ciappara was cleared of all the charges.

Lawyers Kris Busietta and Edward Gatt appeared for Frank Cachia, Michael Ciappara and Mario Ciappara.

Lawyers Manuel Mallia and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Mr Azzopardi.