Claims of abuse of public funds by the Gozo Ministry must be investigated, the PN insisted yesterday, calling on Police Commissioner Michael Cassar to make his position on the allegations clear.
Addressing a press conference, PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami referred to the public funds abuse allegations made in the media. He said the police could not continue closing their eyes to such abuse.
“Until today, we don’t know whether the police are investigating such abuse allegedly committed on the specific instructions of Gozo Minster Anton Refalo,” he said.
“We cannot tolerate a situation where the minister is let off the hook when he has direct access to documents inside his ministry and which can be used by the police to investigate the claims. Are the police investigating? Did they make sure no evidence is tampered with,” Dr Fenech Adami asked.
We cannot tolerate a situation where the minister is let off the hook
He listed eight instances when public funds were allegedly used by the Gozo Ministry to do infrastructural works for private individuals. These included private residences, a restaurant in Marsalforn and garages and private agricultural roads across the island. Asked whether the PN was hounding Dr Refalo in retaliation for the arraignment of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono’s husband, Anthony, in connection with the ‘works for votes’ allegations, Dr Fenech Adami said the PN only wanted to ensure that justice be equal to all.
Last week, Times of Malta asked the police whether the latest allegations involving the Gozo Ministry were being investigated but, so far there has been no reply.
In a statement, Dr Refalo denied any wrongdoing and said he had no problem with the police investigating works carried out by his ministry since the last election.
He confirmed that his ministry had recently repaired a road leading to government agricultural land in Nadur, which, he pointed out, was originally constructed at the time when (outgoing Nationalist Party general secretary) Chris Said was mayor of Nadur.