The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit does not have the power to remove its own board members, FIAU deputy director Alfred Zammit has told The Malta Independent.

The unit was asked whether it will be taking any action against board member Edwina Licari, after it emerged that she was one of three people who went on a trip to Las Vegas with Yorgen Fenech in 2018. Licari currently also serves as a legal advisor to the Malta Financial Services Industry, the MFSA. At the time of the visit, she was employed by the Malta Gaming Authority.

This newsroom also asked the FIAU whether Licari had informed the board that she had travelled with Fenech, and whether she has been asked to resign or suspend herself.

Zammit said that, “decisions regarding the composition of the Board of the FIAU, including the appointment and termination of Board members, as per Article 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, are not within the remit of the FIAU. The Unit is therefore not in a position to take any action.”

Zammit continued that the responsibilities of the Board of the FIAU are limited to policy matters.

“This is strictly adhered to in practice and mitigates the risk that any situations of conflicts of interest arise. In fact, we can confirm that case-specific information is not discussed and is not accessible to the Board members of the FIAU.”

In a press release issued in 2017, the FIAU had explained that the board members are appointed by the Finance Minister, and are nominated by the Attorney General, the Chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority, the Governor of the Central Bank, and the Commissioner of Police.

Two members of the Board are appointed as Chairman and Deputy Chairman by the Prime Minister.

Questions sent to the Finance Minister remain unanswered. Questions have also been sent to Licari but no reply has been received so far.