Criminal proceedings against the daughters of former EU Commissioner John Dalli continued today.
The daughters, along with four foreign nationals, allegedly masterminded a scheme which swindled investors out of their life savings.
When, once again, two of the co-accused did not turn up for the hearing citing serious health reasons, magistrate Aaron Bugeja, presiding over the case, appointed a psychiatrist to assess whether one of them was currently fit to stand trial.
Louise Dalli, Claire Gauci Borda, Eloise Marie Corbin Klein, Charles Ray Jackson, Elizabeth Jean Jackson and Robert Mitchell McIvor are facing charges of money laundering, misappropriation of funds, fraud, making a false declaration to a public authority and the falsification and use of documents.
Ms Gauci Borda stands separately charged with breaching the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act and with failing to carry out her professional duties as an accountant and auditor.
Ms Corbin Klein and Ms Jackson have so far never made an appearance in the proceedings, their counsel Dr Arthur Azzopardi informing the court during the first hearing that one of the woman had survived a stroke, while the other had mobility problems. This impeded both from being physically present in court.
During Wednesday’s sitting, medical expert Mario Scerri, appointed by the court to assess whether the two co-accused had any medical impediment to appear in court, testified that Ms Corbin Klein did have mobility issues but could, in principle, attend court sittings if specialised transport could be provided.
The other accused had suffered a stroke and had difficulty in communicating, he informed the court recommending that a psychiatrist be appointed to evaluate her mental state.
The court took up the expert’s suggestion and ordered that a psychiatrist be appointed to evaluate the state of the accused and whether she was in a position to stand trial.
The case was adjourned.
Inspector Yvonne Farrugia prosecuted. Stefano Filletti and Stephen Tonna Lowell were counsel to the Dalli sisters. Arthur Azzopardi was counsel to the other four co-accused.