Joe Sammut, the man embroiled in a residency and visa scandal, has not had his license suspended, this newsroom has learnt.
The former PL treasurer and election candidate, who was arraigned under arrest, faces a total of 13 charges, which also include making use of false documents and breach of his professional duties as an accountant. He allegedly helped Libyans obtain residence permits by creating fictitious companies.
Responding to questions sent by this newsroom, the Accountancy Board responsible for handling warrants for accountants, said: “The Accountancy Board’s general policy when, an accountant or auditor is taken to court, in terms of law, is that it awaits final judgment and this in line with the fundamental human right that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty”.
The board went on to say – “in line with this policy no action has been taken against Mr Joe Sammut”.
The question was originally asked to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, who then directed this newsroom towards the Accountancy Board.
President of the Malta Institute of Accountants Franco Azzopardi, when contacted, said that the institute has nothing to do with warrants, however that they have taken note of the ongoing situation. Mr Azzopardi stressed that the institute will discuss the matter in its respective committees.
In court on August 18, witnesses said that documents from the Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs Department showed their correct details, however did not contain their correct signatures. In court, it was revealed that some of the documents – the lease agreements for the properties they were supposedly staying at – included photocopies of ID cards of landlords they had never met or spoken to. Three witnesses claimed they had never seen the documents before. They also told the court that they had not received receipts for thousands of euro in fees paid to Mr Sammut’s office, although one of them said he had received a receipt via Viber (a mobile messaging app) when he asked for it.