The Commission for the Administration of Justice has found prima facie evidence of inappropriate behaviour by Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco.
Sources said this morning the commission’s decision was not linked to any corruption in the Olympic ticketing scandal over the 2012 Sochi winter games but for the judge’s continuous refusal to adhere to the Commission’s advice to give up his involvement in the Malta Olympic Committee, which landed him in the midst of the controversy.
The commission has yet to communicate its decision to the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the judge himself.
A motion to remove Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco from the Bench was presented in December 2012 after the judge, then president of the Malta Olympic Committee, and another official, were rapped by the International Olympic Committee following a ticket sales investigation.
The judge had received warnings from the commission over his dual role as MOC president and a member of the Bench, which was deemed to contravene the judiciary’s code of ethics. He denies any wrongdoing.
The case is now expected to be taken to Parliament where an impeachment motion will be debated before a vote is taken. For the judge to be impeached a two thirds majority is required.
Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco is due to retire in August, when he reaches retirement age.