The Civil Protection Department had little say in the recruitment process that resulted in the selection of two “convicted criminals”, Times of Malta has learnt.
Sources said that the successful applicants were selected by the Home Affairs Ministry and the role of the Civil Protection Department was limited to “making some suggestions”.
The issue was flagged in Parliament by Beppe Fenech Adami (PN), who questioned how “two convicted criminals” had joined the ranks of the CPD when members had to be of sound moral character and needed a clean conduct certificate. He claimed political favoritism.
A Home Affairs Ministry spokeswoman said one of the two men – Natalino Spiteri – had “never joined” the department.
However, a list with marks allocated to applicants after an assessment, which was seen by this newspaper, shows that Mr Spiteri had exceeded the pass mark and his name appeared in 41st place, followed by the names of many other applicants.
The ministry said there had been 42 places up for grabs; four of the selected candidates declined the offer, so the four next in line were chosen. The ministry did not comment about the second man, Jonathan Callus, who ranked second.
“All recruitments followed the standard procedures of the Public Service Commission, which is an independent constitutional body,” the spokeswoman said.
In 2006, a court found Mr Callus and Mr Spiteri guilty of car insurance fraud and slapped them with a suspended sentence and a five-year general interdiction.
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