Former parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon has accused the National Audit Office of “vindictive and politically motivated” action over its investigation of the Gaffarena scandal.
Dr Falzon resigned last week after the NAO concluded that he had colluded with officials of the Government Property Department and businessman Mark Gaffarena in the expropriation of half a building in Valletta.
Interviewed on Xarabank last night, Dr Falzon insisted he was innocent and accused the NAO’s chief investigating officer Keith Mercieca of being politically motivated.
I'm carrying somebody else’s cross
“The report was all a justification for a politically motivated attack against me for having drawn the NAO’s attention before this case erupted on Mr Mercieca’s antics… It is a nasty (porkerija) report,” he said, adding it was surprising how the NAO failed to hone in on architect Joseph Spiteri, who had carried out the land and property evaluations.
Mr Gaffarena had benefitted from land and cash totaling €3.4 million for half a building worth some €900,000.
The evaluations that overestimated the cost of the expropriated building and underestimated the value of the land given to Mr Gaffarena were conducted by Mr Spiteri.
Dr Falzon said he wrote to the ethics committee of the Chamber of Architects and the University of Malta to investigate Mr Spiteri, who he said was roped in at the GPD during the previous administration under former Land Minister Jason Azzopardi.
He asked whether it was possible that Mr Spiteri colluded with officials at the NAO, instead.
The former parliamentary secretary that he never intervened or got involved in this case. “If Mark Gaffarena got to know confidential information he did not get it from me; I did nothing wrong.”
Asked whether he regretted resigning, Dr Falzon intimated he was “carrying somebody else’s cross”.
Dr Falzon said he would be a candidate with the Labour Party, four square behind Joseph Muscat, in the next election. “I promise absolute loyalty to the Prime Minister and the people.”
He then appealed to the media not to indulge in character assassination and promised he would file libel cases in the future.