Leaked e-mails and documents from the power station company Electrogas shows how a company linked to the prime minister's chief of staff, Keith Schembri is making money off the government-backed project.  

Invoices show how Berner, a company co-owned by Mr Schembri and his business frontman Malcolm Scerri Scerri, has made over €40,000 from supplying equipment to the project.

Berner, set up two months after the 2013 election, has also picked up smaller contracts and direct orders from other government ministries.

Asked if Berner was set up to supply the power station, Mr Schembri said the company had commenced business in 2012 and has a yearly turnover of €1.7 million, supplying recognised brands. He said one could not therefore infer that the company was set up for such a transaction.

Mr Schembri’s companies have also made €81,000 from the various entities falling under the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry, the bulk of which came from Transport Malta.

Evidence has also emerged that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff may have profited personally from the cash-for-passports scheme.

His wife, Josette Schembri, owns a company called Temple Concierge which up until a few months ago used to openly advertise a referral system for the scheme.

The reference to the referral system was removed from Temple Concierge’s website following media reports.

Mr Schembri is the subject of a magisterial inquiry after a leaked report by the State’s anti-money-laundering agency said there was suspicion he took a €100,000 kickback on passport sales from his accountant and friend Brian Tonna.

Both Mr Schembri and Mr Tonna, the managing partner of Nexia BT, deny the payment of a kickback and insist the money settled a loan Mr Schembri had extended to Mr Tonna.

jacob.borg@timesofmalta.com