Details have emerged of how Frank Sammut, the former Enemalta director at the centre of commissions-for-oil-purchases claims, had faced similar accusations in 1993.

The Commission Against Corruption investigated a letter claiming that Mr Sammut received payments in a foreign bank account from Swiss firm Tempo, which bid for Enemalta contracts.

The letter was signed by a Francis Sammut, who claimed to have received it by mistake from Tempo when it was meant for Frank Sammut.

The Commission said it could not find evidence proving the claims.

Mr Sammut dismissed the allegations.

The commission noted that Tempo submitted the cheapest bids. 

Since oil was bought on the spot market through quotations, this could give rise to situations where an official could leak the rival bids during the bargaining process, however. The commission suggested that consultants review the system.

See 1993 investigation report on pdf below.

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