For the second time in a week, a court has ruled that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to indict notary Sandro Schembri Adami for fraud and misappropriation.

Dr Schembri Adami, 41, of Valletta, is pleading not guilty to misappropriating Lm1,550 entrusted to him by Joseph Verzin. He is also charged with defrauding Mr Verzin of this sum of money.

It is alleged that Mr Verzin hired Dr Schembri Adami as his notary when buying property worth Lm60,000 and was said to have handed the Lm1,550 to the notary for the payment of the necessary stamp duty and taxes.

After making enquiries, Mr Verzin allegedly discovered that the money had never been passed on to the government and therefore the house that he thought he had bought was not legally his.

Presiding magistrate Abigail Lofaro ruled that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to indict Dr Schembri Adami.

Inspector Kevin Borg prosecuted.

Dr Etienne Calleja appeared for the accused.

Earlier this week, another magistrate gave a similar ruling in connection with other fraud charges brought against Dr Schembri Adami.