Cospicua Mayor Joseph Scerri has been banned from serving on local councils for five years after being found guilty by a court of violating the code of conduct of councillors.
The case was based on a vote proposed by Mr Scerri himself for the council to engage his nephew's wife, Ramona Falzon, as council secretary. He was found not guilty of having failed to reveal his familial link to the councillors.
The case was referred to the police by the Local Councils Department.
Mr Scerri was also fined €500.