An FIAU report released by PN MEP David Casa drew suspicion over a deal between Enemalta and Montenegro regarding a wind park, while also placing Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi under the spotlight once again.
"Following the analysis of the facts available to the FIAU, together with other information obtained by the FIAU through the powers conferred to it by law, it has been determined that sufficient information is available to conclude that a reasonable suspicion of money laundering or an attempt to launder proceeds of crime subsists in this case. This decision is supported by the relevant facts outlined in this report," the report read.
The Malta Independent had published a number of articles in the past about the conclusions of this particular FIAU report.
On the Montenegro situation, the FIAU report notes that negotiations of a wind power plant in Montenegro commenced in July 2010 between the Government of Montenegro and a Spanish consortium. Once the required building permit was issued in December 2014, the Spanish consortium transferred its shares in the subsidiary company Mozura Wind Park d.o.o. to Enemalta plc on 2nd February 2015, with open sources citing the reason for the transfer being a failure in talks between the Government of Montenegro and the Spanish Consortium. This raises suspicion given that the Consortium had been involved in this agreement since 2010 and allegedly was removed/relinquished its interest just when all systems were in place for the works to commence. Of further suspicion is the fact that the Consortium still commenced construction works on the 15th February despite having transferred its shares to Enemalta plc on 2nd February 2015."
The FIAU found a number of suspicious circumstances surrounding this situation. Firstly, it found suspicious "the inconsistency in the intended operations of the Panamanian Company Hearnville Inc. communications show the said activity to the range from preservation of family assets, management of inheritance, management consultancy and brokerage as well as being used as a holding company for operations conducted in sectors of Recycling and Remote Gaming."
" Upon his return from Montenegro (ie. 16th June 2015) Dr. Mizzi signed the Source of Funds/Wealth Declaration Form. This declaration form identified Dr. Mizzi's source of funds/wealth as being personal assets and proceeds from business trade."
"The time in which the UK Company GASOL, sold its interests in Electrogas Malta Ltd. (22/07/2015) coincides with the time when HEARNVILLE INC. was placed under trust and steps were being taken to open an offshore account/s for Hearneville INC. Mizzi's presence in Serbia in October, 2015 five days prior to the date an agreement was signed between the state of Montenegro State Consortium Fersa and Celebic, Mozura Wind Park d.o.o and Enemalta plc."
"Mizzi's presence in Montenegro in November 2015, which is just two days after an agreement was signed between the government of Montenegro and Enemalta plc. in relation to a €1.5 million bank guarantee. Of further suspicion is the fact that the only transactions which appear to have been carried out using bank cards during this trip are on Dr. Mizzi's personal credit card and are only for 0.01 euros which means that these were carried out in order to ensure that the card is valid. This therefore raises the question as to why Dr. Mizzi refrained from using his official card during this trip. "
The report also dealt with other issues and notes that there is suspicion in that Konrad Mizzi and OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri were setting up structures as a joint venture, the suspicion is further substantiated by the fact that the timing of the events indicates that the Panama/New Zealand structures created for Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri were created simultaneously and both persons were working in tandem. This fact is in itself suspicious given that these structures are typically created on the basis of one's individual circumstances and not with a one-size-fits-all approach.
This newsroom had also previously reported on the FIAU's findings regarding 17 black. Payments totalling €1.4 million were made into an account held by 17 Black, which was separately one of the target clients for Mizzi and Schembri's Panama companies.
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit was also not able to corroborate the amount of funds held by Minister Konrad Mizzi as declared in his ministerial declaration of assets,
The PL, in response, said that the report contains nothing new, and that Casa had previously taken the allegations to be investigated through a magisterial inquiry. “It would be better for Casa to apologise for being part of the slander against Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his wife.”
Report
Konrad Mizzi reaction
Minister Konrad Mizzi refers to a document published today by Nationalist Party MEP David Casa, purporting to be a report drafted by an FIAU analyst. The document is undated and unsigned.
The document appears to be a collection of conjectures, in large part based on speculative reports published on Daphne Caruana Galizia’s blog and other local newspapers. It is revealing that the various chapters of the draft report tally with sequential attacks against Minister Konrad Mizzi, and this lends credence to the view that the document was drafted to be leaked. All these hypotheses and allegations have been strongly rebutted.
Building on the Egrant lies that he and Simon Busuttil professed, Mr Casa persists in his vile mission to tarnish the reputation of his political opponents through further unsubstantiated allegations. A detailed inquiry report by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja confirming that Minister Mizzi was not involved in corruption, money laundering or suspicious financial transactions are a solid rejection of Mr Casa’s baseless allegations.