Sacked PBS chief executive John Bundy yesterday strenuously denied sexually harassing and threatening an employee at the workplace, claims made in a sworn affidavit presented to the board of directors.
Mr Bundy, who was ousted from Public Broadcasting Services earlier this month following a suspicious €500,000 car deal, said the very thought of it went against his nature. He said the claims were an attempt to tarnish his name.
According to the affidavit, Mr Bundy “forced himself” on a female employee twice and kissed her on the lips. On both occasions, she pushed him off, she claimed in the affidavit. The two incidents allegedly occurred in May.
The same employee who made the sworn statement also instructed the board not to take any further action against Mr Bundy.
Meanwhile, the affidavit, seen by the Times of Malta, also claims that Mr Bundy accused the employee of being part of a clique against him within the State broadcaster.
“He told me ‘if I go down, I’ll take you down with me’. I felt that this was a threat,” the sworn statement reads, adding that the employee felt “traumatised” by the whole experience.
Contacted yesterday, Mr Bundy said the claims were a complete fabrication. “Whoever is making all these allegations about me wants my head on a plate. They want to finish me,” he said.
When asked who “they” were, Mr Bundy replied: “Whoever is leaking these stories about me.”
“I did not do these things. I swear it on my father’s grave. It’s like I am hearing all of this in a dream,” he said.
READ: 'I don't give a damn about the board'
Asked if he thought he was being framed, Mr Bundy said, “All I know is that I did not do these things”.
He later contacted Times of Malta to add that the allegation was “a big lie” and that he would hold everyone responsible.
“This is nothing but an attempt to tarnish my name,” he said.
The former Labour TV personality, who crossed over from the Nationalist Party, was replaced as CEO of PBS after a damning audit report found that he had broken with procurement regulations in an eight-year car lease deal. It also found he had “consistently bullied” the senior management of the broadcaster.
The lease deal, for 14 vehicles, included Mr Bundy’s own car and was made with Burmarrad Commercials. Mr Bundy denies any wrongdoing and has insisted he always acted “above board” while at PBS.