The Identity Malta clerk granted bail earlier this month upon his arraignment over charges of having embezzled company funds was back in court today after two withdrawals from his bank account in violation of a freezing order imposed by the earlier court.

On July 7, Joseph Calleja, 60, from Mosta, had been arraigned on charges of misappropriation and fraud, which offences were aggravated by the fact that he was a public officer. He had also been charged with having falsified documents or knowingly made use of false documents.

The man had been granted bail under strict conditions and the court had issued a freezing order upon all his assets, including the money in his bank accounts.

However, during today’s hearing it transpired that on that very same day, Mr Calleja had withdrawn €20,000 from the bank’s local branch. The following Monday, the man paid a second visit to the bank and made another withdrawal of some €21,000.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee told the court how only yesterday, Mr Calleja had attempted to carry out a third withdrawal but the transaction was blocked by the bank, which had meanwhile been notified about the freezing order targeting its client’s funds. The police were alerted about the failed attempt.

Before duty magistrate Neville Camilleri, Mr Calleja today pleaded not guilty, his defence counsel insisting that it had all been “a genuine mistake”.

The defence registered a request for bail which, however, was objected to by the prosecution who argued that if the man had truly committed a genuine error, why had he handed the sums withdrawn to a third party?

Lawyer Franco Debono, assisting the man, countered that his client had handed over the money to the police. In fact, the prosecuting inspector presented the sum of €36,500 in cash inside a sealed envelope which was handed over to the court. This envelope was placed inside another envelope and sealed under court order.

The defence argued that Mr Calleja had no intention of breaching any court order. He simply had not been aware of his wrongdoing which was still to be proved.

Lawyer Josette Sultana, also assisting the man, questioned why the bank had not been notified the very next day about the freezing order according to normal practice.

The court, after hearing submissions on bail by both parties, upheld the request taking into account the circumstances of the case and the nature of the charges.

Bail was granted against various strict conditions including the immediate payment of a deposit of €2,000. A personal guarantee of €10,000 was also imposed. 

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee prosecuted.