The Lands Authority is refusing to publish the declaration of assets submitted by its CEO James Piscopo last June before assuming his new role at the State property agency.
At the same time, Transport Minister Ian Borg, responsible for the authority, has so far failed to supply The Sunday Times of Malta with a copy of the code of conduct which, according to the law, guides its CEO and its top officials. The declaration of assets should have been submitted in accordance with the code.
According to the Lands Authority law, introduced by Labour in 2017, “the Minister shall, in consultation with the Authority, issue, publish and review a code about the conduct expected of the members of the Authority, the Board, The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Audit Officer, chairpersons and officers of the Authority in connection with the performance of the Authority’s functions.”
The law also obliges the CEO, among other officers, to submit a declaration of assets under the provisions of the code and to declare his conflict of interests “upon becoming aware of such interest”.
The board was satisfied with the explanation given
Asked for a copy of the code of ethics, a spokeswoman for Dr Borg evaded the request, saying only that “a modus-operandi was established by the previous minister” (parliamentary secretary Deborah Schembri) and the authority – and which is still in place. The ministry however did not pass on the code despite the newspaper’s explicit request.
Neither did the chairman Lino Farrugia Sacco, who was asked for a copy of the code and a copy of Mr Piscopo’s declaration of assets.
Government sources told The Sunday Times of Malta that the lack of documentation might indicate that the requested documents do not exist – which would be a clear violation of the law.
Earlier this month, The Sunday Times of Malta revealed that Mr Piscopo, the former CEO of the Labour Party and a close associate of Prime Minster Joseph Muscat, was in business with the owners of the Fortina Hotel in two separate private companies.
Despite the fact that it was already public knowledge that the Lands Authority was conducting negotiations with the Zammit Tabonas – the Fortina owners – over a deal which could mean millions for the owners if successful, Mr Piscopo only declared his conflict of interest to the authority board a day after the newspaper sent him questions asking him about his conflicting interests.
Read: Transport Minister silent on Piscopo’s business interests
Confirming that the board only became aware of Mr Piscopo’s business interests during a meeting held a day after thes newspaper sent questions, Judge Farrugia Sacco said that his board “was satisfied with the explanation given, particularly the timely proactive action taken by Mr Piscopo in selling his shareholding to eliminate any potential perceived conflict”.
No share transfers have so far been registered on the MFSA’s website.