Updated at 6pm with government statement
The police have decided to look deeper into the case of former Labour general secretary Jimmy Magro, who the Commission Against Corruption said in January should be arraigned for demanding a cut of public tenders, Times of Malta was told.
Police sources said that although the commission’s conclusions should suffice to press criminal charges against Mr Magro, the police had decided to make their own “further investigations” before proceeding to court.
Asked what was keeping them from filing charges against Mr Magro, the police would only say that “investigations into this case are still ongoing”.
In its report, the Commission against Corruption, headed by Judge Lawrence Quintano, concluded that this was “a case of corruption or an attempt at corruption” by a public officer [Mr Magro] that should be ultimately be decided by a court.
Times of Malta was later told that Mr Magro is still receiving half his pay, which, according to his contract, exceeds €80,000 a year
The commission said in its report it was “morally convinced” that Mr Magro sought money from a public tender worth €250,000. The successful bidder, Victor Bonello, testified that Mr Magro had asked him for a cut.
Soon after the publication of the commission’s report, Mr Magro was suspended from his role as executive chairman of the Major Projects Coordinating Agency, set up in June 2013 and falling under Malta Enterprise. Times of Malta was later told that Mr Magro is still receiving half his pay, which, according to his contract, exceeds €80,000 a year.
According to his employment conditions, obtained following a request under the Freedom of Information Act, Mr Magro was given a five-year contract with various perks and benefits.
He was recruited on June 1, 2013 on a basic salary of €50,000 a year.
Additionally, he was given an annual performance bonus of up to 15 per cent (€7,500), an expense allowance (€6,000), a vehicle allowance (€7,000) – together with unlimited fuel and a full-time driver – health insurance (€1,000) and a fully expensed mobile phone, aside from the statutory bonuses.
By contract, he is also entitled to a “loyalty bonus of €50,000” in the event that “the employee completes his term of employment”.
According to the commission’s report, apart from a cut on the tender, Mr Magro asked bidders to pay for a €5,000 holiday that he had just taken to the Alsace region in France.
Mr Magro denied the claims, insisting he did not need any money. He explained that in the year in question, he made an income of about €100,000.
In a statement this afternoon, the government said Mr Magro was only receiving half his basic pay and not half his financial package including perks.
It said Malta Enterprise took all necessary disciplinary action in line with Mr Magro's contract to safeguard its interests and those of all involved.