The magistrates court ruled yesterday that there was sufficient prima facie evidence for a bill of indictment to be issued against a 71-year-old woman from Zejtun who is accused of bribing a public official to obtain invalidity pensions for other people, from whom she allegedly accepted payment.

Magistrate Edwina Grima issued the indictment during the compilation of evidence against Saverin Sinagra, who is pleading not guilty to the charges of accepting bribes from third parties to influence the public official and bribing him on and before June this year.

In his testimony, prosecuting inspector Joe Cordina explained that the police initiated investigations after they received a letter from the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry (MFSS) saying that a man called John Camilleri had been asked to pay cash to receive an invalidity pension.

The inspector explained that, in order to receive an invalidity pension, a person must receive an endorsement from two entities: the employer and the board within the MFSS.

He said that he spoke to Mr Camilleri, who told him that he used to work at the Malta Shipyards and that he wanted to leave his job.

Mr Camilleri told the inspector that someone had mentioned Ms Sinagra’s name and that when he contacted her, she told him to take sick leave and referred him to a Dr Joe Cassar for a medical certificate.

Insp. Cassar said that Ms Sinagra then told Mr Camilleri to contact Thomas Woods – an official who worked at the Health Ministry.

Mr Camilleri also told the inspector that the accused had asked him for Lm600 and when he refused to pay her, she called Mr Woods and told him to call everything off.

Insp. Cordina said that Mr Camilleri was under the impression that the Lm600 was going to be divided between a number of people and, as a result, approached Dr Cassar to pay him his share.

However, he added, Dr Cassar was shocked when he was approached by Mr Camilleri and asked him if he was ready to inform the authorities of what was happening.

As a result, said Insp. Cordina, Dr Cassar sent a letter to the MFSS, who then in turn informed the police.

He said that, on 8 June, the police arrested Ms Sinagra and found two medical certificates and a letter to the Social Services Department when they searched her residence.

Ms Sinagra told the police that she did request cash but that she did not keep any for herself and admitted referring Mr Camilleri to Dr Cassar and Mr Woods.

However, added Insp. Cordina, she explained that Mr Woods told her to ask for Lm600 which she placed in an envelope that he in turn picked up.

Furthermore, she told the police that Mr Woods had told her that the money was for him.

However, the inspector said, Mr Woods had told the police that the money was not for him but someone else.

He added that Ms Sinagra had started referring people around six months ago and so far had helped around six people.

Insp. Cordina told the court that the police had spoken to these people, who confirmed that Ms Sinagra had referred them to Dr Cassar and Mr Woods.

On 8 June, the police arrested Mr Woods at the Health Department and seized a number of documents. He denied keeping any money but confirmed that people spoke to him for advice after Ms Sinagra and other people had referred them.

Police inspector Joe Cordina prosecuted while Dr Kris Busietta and Dr Jason Azzopardi appeared for Ms Sinagra.