Former Enemalta chairman Alex Tranter used Enemalta funds to pay for two rooms at the Hilton in London where he attended the International Petroleum Forum in February 2010, shortly before he left his post, a court heard this afternoon.

One room was for him and the other for his personal assistant, Bronia Mercieca, who was actually on leave, current executive chairman Fredrick Azzopardi said.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mr Tranter, who stands accused of misappropriating the corporation’s funds during his term as chairman between 2005 and 2010, particularly during 2007, 2008 and 2010.

The prosecution is alleging that Mr Tranter made personal use of company funds.

Ing. Azzopardi’s testimony focused on Mr Tranter’s trip to London when which he used the company visa card to book two rooms at the Hilton Hotel.

According to company records, it resulted that two other Enemalta officials also attended the event on behalf of the company, booking rooms at the cheaper Holiday Inn Hotel.

He said Ms Mercieca booked vacation leave to be able to travel to London.

Mr Tranter attended the 2014 IP Forum that was a “socialising” event which involved a series of cocktail parties, lunches and dinners in which representatives of companies working in the petroleum sector could meet.

Ing. Azzopardi said that according to company procedures, which are still applicable today, Enemalta employees travelling for work purposes would have their flights covered by the corporation and would receive a subsistence allowance of €250 per night. Alternatively, the allowance would go down to €125 if the company was to cover the accommodation.

He noted that Mr Tranter had booked a hotel that was “relatively expensive” in light of the expenses he was entitled to.

However, his testimony was countered by defence counsel Joe Giglio, who said he could not believe the prosecution had brought Mr Azzopardi to testify when he had never worked with Mr Tranter.

In fact, Ing. Azzopardi was a senior engineer in the civil service before being appointed Enemalta’s CEO in January 2014, and its chairman in the following August.

As a result, he could not answer questions on decisions taken in 2010 related to travel procedures and whether there was any other business event that Mr Tranter attended while in London.

At one point, Dr Giglio said he had no further questions to ask someone who was not even at Enemalta employee at the time, saying this was “useless”.

The case continues next month.

Inspectors Jonathan Ferris and Ian Abdilla are prosecuting. Lawyer Lucio Sciriha appeared parte civile for the corporation