The former personal secretary of an Enemalta chairman told a court today the corporation had paid her accommodation when she attended an official meeting in London.

Bronia Mercieca, who was the personal assistant of former chairman Alexander Tranter, testified during the compilation of evidence against Mr Tranter, who stands accused with misappropriating the corporation’s funds during his term as chairman between 2005 and 2010, particularly during 2007, 2008 and 2010.

The prosecution is alleging that Mr Tranter made personal use of company funds.

She was pressed on her trip to the International Petroleum Forum in London in February 2010. The prosecution is alleging that Mr Tranter had used Enemalta funds to pay for two rooms at the Hilton Hotel in London.

Ms Micallef explained that she had asked Mr Tranter whether she could join the Enemalta delegation as she wanted to experience first-hand the networking events in view of one she was organising some three months later.

She said he replied that if she paid for all the expenses, she could attend. So she booked vacation leave to be able to travel to London and had even paid for the air ticket.

While she was there, she told Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, Mr Tranter asked her to attend a meeting on the Malta event as he had to go to another meeting.

When she went to reception to pay for the hotel room, Mr Tranter told her that although she was there on holiday, she had performed official duties so the least the corporation could do was pay her accommodation.

During her testimony, she explained how she used to handle the chairman’s travel arrangements, including booking of air tickets and hotels as well as filling in forms for per diem allowances.

She said the chairman had the company’s Visa card that was used for general expenses and she would go through the statements and attach supporting documentation and receipts.

Asked whether there were times when Mr Tranter had to refund money, Ms Micallef said there was one occasion when Mr Tranter realised he had mistakenly used the Enemalta card instead of another credit card and had written out a cheque immediately.

Another witness, Simone Sapiano, told the court that the Internal Audit and Investigations Directorate within the Office of the Prime Minister had been tasked to probe the corporation’s use of credit card funds.

She said the basic principles of internal control were not respected and there was missing supporting documentation. She also said that the same card was shared by nine people.

The case continues on June 26.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla prosecuted while lawyer Joe Giglio appeared for Mr Tranter.