Former Enemalta chairman Alex Tranter yesterday pleaded “definitely not guilty” to misappropriation charges as the prosecution admitted there was no proof he made personal use of corporation funds.
Mr Tranter, 51, from Swieqi, is denying misappropriating public funds by using the corporation’s credit card when abroad.
The prosecution alleges that Mr Tranter made personal use of Enemalta funds when he served as chairman between 2005 and 2010 but particularly in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Police Inspector Jonathan Ferris testified before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli that Mr Tranter bought a Sony laptop during a trip to Miami and failed to return it when his term was up.
He also withdrew £200 from an ATM at Gatwick airport and failed to provide a receipt to back it up.
Defence lawyer Joe Giglio challenged the prosecution’s thesis that expenses not accompanied by receipts would automatically amount to misappropriation. One had to see how the funds were spent.
Mr Ferris also said investigations revealed that Mr Tranter spent €529 on a new mobile phone and €2,400 on something that was not backed by a receipt.
In 2010, Mr Tranter attended the International Petroleum Forum in London together with two other Enemalta officials and his personal assistant, Bronia Mercieca, who had asked to accompany them as she had never been to the British capital, the prosecuting officer said.
Mr Tranter told investigators he accepted as long as she footed the bill, which she did.
While the two officials flew Air Malta, the accused and Ms Mercieca travelled to the UK on low-cost carrier Easyjet. The days she spent in the UK were deducted from her vacation leave.
He offered to pay Ms Mercieca’s lodging to the tune of €609
The two members of the delegation checked in at the Holiday Inn Hotel while Mr Tranter and Ms Mercieca rented two separate rooms at the Hilton Hotel.
One morning, Ms Mercieca offered to attend a last-minute business breakfast with a client because no member of the delegation could attend. As a “goodwill” gesture, Mr Tranter offered to pay Ms Mercieca’s lodging to the tune of €609. Mr Ferris said that, in his opinion, this amounted to misuse of public funds.
Mr Tranter told the police it was only a sign of goodwill, noting she had volunteered to attend the meeting even though she was in London on vacation leave.
Dr Giglio questioned Mr Ferris at length on this, pointing out that the executive chairman had the power to take such decisions and also quoted the Enemalta Act saying the chairman only needed approval on transactions over €2.3 million.
Mr Ferris confirmed that hotel accommodation expenses were backed by receipts.
There were also a number of traffic contraventions paid by Enemalta’s credit card.
Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha appeared parte civile for Enemalta.