Nexia BT – the company that gave “politically naïve and very insensitive” advice to Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri on setting up companies in secretive Panama, was paid more than €170,000 in ‘professional fees’ by the Malta Gaming Authority last year.

Information tabled in Parliament this evening by Economy Minister Chris Cardona shows that the company was awared six contracts by direct order – the most expensive worth €85,520 – for a total of €170,205.

The information, tabled in reply to a parliamentary question by PN MP Claudio Grech, shows that the cost of professional fees by the MGA increased drastically between 2013 and 2015.

In 2013, the authority spent just €125,680 on professional fees, which included costs of legal, translation and IT services.

In 2014 the total shot up to €778,001. During that year, Nexia BT was paid €42,760 in one direct order for ‘Compliance reviews of specific operators regulatory obligations.’

In 2015, the total spent by the MGA on professional fees rose to €943,391. Nexia BT was given six direct order assignments that year.

All professional services engaged by the MGA between 2013 and 2015 were given by direct order, approved by the Executive Chairman. 

Nexia BT is run by Brian Tonna. He owns BT International, which is the sole shareholder in Mossack Fonseca’s Malta company.