David Casa has reacted after Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando called for police action against the MEP for being in possession of and speaking about a leaked FIAU report.
Casa told the Sunday Times of Malta that he was seriously considering handing over a leaked report on alleged kickbacks received by Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri from the power station privatization deal, excerpts of which were published by this media house before last year’s election, to the courts, so that a new magisterial inquiry could be launched.
The report, which according to the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit was never finalized, allegedly shows that money was transferred to the pair through a company called 17 Black.
In a statement yesterday, the FIAU reminded Casa that possession and publication of its own reports constituted a crime and could jeopardize ongoing and future investigations.
In a Facebook post, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, a former PN MP who unsuccesfully contested the last general election on the PL ticket, wrote: “Where are the police? While allegations of corruption must be investigated seriously in a democratic country, criminal proceedings must also be taken against all illegalities. David Casa broke the law when he acquired and spoke about a confidential FIAU document, which some have said was written to be leaked. The police will be failing in their duty if they don’t take action against people who break the law, which after all should be equal for everyone. The people are taking note of those who are harming Malta. This is not a game, Mr Casa.”
Reacting, the Nationalist MEP said: “Attempts to intimidate me by people close to Castille will be futile. The call for my arrest by a person close to the Prime Minister and the holder of a public appointee on a government body is disgraceful.
My loyalty is to the Maltese and Gozitan people. And it is my duty to expose criminal activity.
So, I repeat: I will publish the conclusive FIAU Report that will leave the Prime Minister with no choice but to remove Konrad Mizzi.”