A magistrate today ordered the freezing of assets of a notary who stands charged with defrauding a long list of people over property deals.
In one of his first decisions since being appointed to the bench, Magistrate Joe Mifsud ordered that all assets of notary Pierre Falzon be frozen.
Dr Falzon, 54, from Qawra, stands charged with fraud and misappropriation in August 2012 and the preceding years. A long list of clients are claiming to have been duped by the notary over deals on various properties in Tarxien, Iklin, Mosta, St Paul's Bay, Gzira, Birzebbuga, Santa Venera, Ta Qali and San Gwann.
In their submissions prior to the decision - that has been pending since the case was being heard by another magistrate - defence lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha argued that if their client's assets were to be frozen, he would not be able to continue paying back amounts owed. They said there was "very little left to settle".
But Magistrate Mifsud upheld the prosecution's request and the defence lawyers have given notice of appeal.
Dr Falzon has other misappropriation and fraud cases before other magistrates.
In 2011, a European Arrest Warrant had been issued when the notary failed to appear for one of the hearings.
On that occasion, he had sent a medical certificate issued by his doctor in Milan stating he could not attend the sitting because he was on a 15-day recovery period. He then travelled to Spain where he was arrested in Marbella on the strength of the European Arrest Warrant.
He had agreed to be extradited to Malta and appeared before the Maltese courts that ordered him not to leave the island and hand over his passport and ID card.
The cases are still pending.
See also http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110320/local/we-were-duped-by-our-notary-couple.355644