An elderly woman was yesterday charged with accepting bribes and bribing a public official to make it easier for people to obtain a certificate issued by a medical board certifying that they are not fit to work and will therefore be entitled to receive two-thirds of their pay without working.

Saveria Sinagra, 71, from Zejtun, who in court looked frail and could barely walk, pleaded not guilty to corrupting a public official and receiving bribes.

Magistrate Silvio Meli upheld the prosecution’s request and appointed lawyer Richard Sladden to freeze the woman’s assets and examine them.

Requesting bail, defence lawyer Jason Azzopardi said the woman is charged with acting as a go-between for people who wanted this easy money and the public official who allegedly issued these certificates.

The police are still investigating the public official.

Magistrate Meli granted the elderly woman bail against a personal guarantee of Lm100.

Police Inspector Joseph Cordina prosecuted while Dr Jason Azzopardi appeared for the woman.