Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar has been given evidence related to the bribery case involving a former member of Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes’ people, The Malta Independent has learnt.

Last Sunday, The Malta Independent on Sunday reported that Charles Spiteri, who was a politically appointed person and had been seconded from the Office of the Prime Minister to the Parliamentary Secretariat for Social Accommodation after the June general election, requested bribes from people who wanted to apply for social housing.

Sources close to the police told this newsroom that a few days ago Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne handed over arecording of Spiteri asking for money to help someone apply for social housing over to the police. Sources said that Fearne asked the Police Commissioner to investigate this case.

The Malta Independent on Sunday published a story that showed how Spiteri used his position in the Office of Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes to ask for kickbacks of between €400 and €600 per case. It goes without saying that the official has been taking advantage on vulnerable people desperate for hard-to-come-by government accommodation.

The case, which broke on Friday evening when Galdes announced he had suspended the individual pending investigation, is not an isolated one. According to police sources, Spiteri had been on the take since he assumed his new position at the Parliamentary Secretariat for Social Accommodation, which falls under the remit of Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity Minister Michael Falzon, in June.

Once the report was made by Fearne, the government is said to have taken immediate action. It is not known whether the ‘whistle-blower’ had received government housing or not.

On Friday evening, Galdes said he had immediately suspended the member of staff after he was alerted to alleged corruption.

In an additional Facebook post on Friday, Galdes said he had taken the immediate decision to suspend Spiteri “after receiving allegations and information indicating a member of staff had broken the established code of conduct”.

“Over recent months since being appointed,” Galdes added, “I have not only added impetus to the sector but I have also ensured that aid is granted to those who are truly in need, cut abuse and offered dignity and shelter to those who are without it. 

“Given that, these circumstances are a source of great personal disappointment and anger.”