A contractor turned whistleblower never mentioned allegations of wrongdoing by former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono’s husband, according to Beppe Fenech Adami.
The Nationalist Party deputy leader yesterday defended the party’s general secretary Chris Said, insisting an e-mail that spoke of “works for votes” had only mentioned works done for the Għarb council.
Dr Fenech Adami agreed with the interpretation given to this newspaper last week by Dr Said, who said “works for votes” did not imply abuse.
The controversy is expected to colour the last week of the local council elections campaign as Prime Joseph Muscat used a radio interview yesterday to call on Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and Dr Said to “come clean” on the issue.
“Dr Busuttil thought he could save his skin because of the Easter break but his statement that he had not discussed the abuse allegations in a meeting with the contractor was not credible. He has to come clean and tell us whether he had any witnesses in that meeting to attest to what he is saying,” Dr Muscat charged.
He asked why Dr Busuttil was covering up for Dr Said, insisting it was more likely the Opposition leader was covering up his own tracks. The words “works for votes” were used by Gozitan contractor Joe Cauchi in an e-mail sent to Dr Said in May last year complaining of works done in the private sector that had to be financed by public funds but were never paid.
The contractor even provided Dr Said a non-exhaustive list of works done in private residences “for votes” under the previous administration.
Dr Said has insisted there was nothing to report at the time because the e-mail never alleged abuse.
Dr Busuttil has admitted meeting the contractor two months after becoming party leader in 2013 but denied ever having discussed the “works for votes” allegations.
Dr Busuttil thought he could save his skin because of the Easter break
Dr Fenech Adami yesterday insisted the contractor “at no time” mentioned allegations involving the husband of the former Gozo minister.
Mr Cauchi has been afforded whistleblower status. He and others are alleging that contractors were tasked to do works in private residences with material provided by the construction department in the Gozo Ministry, formerly run by Ms Debono’s husband Anthony.
The police started investigating the case last month when Malta Today reported the story.
Ms Debono is a PN MP and Dr Busuttil has said he will take action against her when and if the police found any wrongdoing.
Gozo Minister Anton Refalo had admitted learning about the allegations last November.
He has so far not given an explanation as to why the police were not brought into the case back then. Attempts to contact him yesterday proved futile.
Questions sent to the Office of the Prime Minister last week, when Dr Refalo was hospitalised, remained unanswered.
The controversy has taken on political overtones with Dr Fenech Adami yesterday insisting Dr Refalo had not yet answered for his actions.
“What has he done till now on these claims and why has the case only been revealed on the eve of the council elections?” he asked.
The PN deputy leader accused Dr Refalo of shunning away from the media on allegations that his ministry carried out works at a Marsalforn restaurant, in private garages at Ta’ Dbieġi near San Lawrenz and in a number of fields in Għasri.
Attempts to contact Ms Debono have also proven to be in vain.