(Adds police statement)

An Enemalta worker charged with stealing electricity has evaded charges of failing in his duties as a public officer, unlike his colleagues who were arraigned for a similar offence earlier this year.

Louis Attard, who was suspended from his job at Enemalta’s accounts department, was last week charged with stealing €2,329 worth of electricity from his home in Mosta and of bribing a public official to commit a criminal act.

However, the prosecution decided not to include the charge relating to his duties as a public servant, which ­– in the case of a conviction – could mean a stiffer punishment. When asked for an explanation, the police said they were not in a position to comment as the case was under way.

Earlier this year, when the smart meter tampering scandal came to public attention, Mr Attard was described in Parliament by the Opposition as the mastermind behind the electricity scam. The Nationalist Party also said he was “very close” to Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi. Dr Mizzi had denied the claims.

When asked about the case, Dr Mizzi’s spokesman said: “The minister never exerted any pressure or intervened in any way.”

POLICE STATEMENT

In a statement this evening, the police said Mr Attard was being charged with identical charges to those of other people who breached the same sections of the law in similar circumstances.They said that charges had to be based on the law and in line with evidence found during investigations.