A former Enemalta technician has been jailed for thirty months and fined €10,000 after pleading guilty to accepting bribes to install rigged smart meters.

Richard Gauci, 48, from Rabat also pleaded guilty before Magistrate Carol Peralta to damaging private property and defrauding Enemalta. Mr Gauci had initially pleaded not guilty but entered a guilty plea today, during the compilation of evidence against him. Other former Enemalta employees who admitted at an early stage had received a two-year jail sentence. 

The court heard bow Mr Gauci made an average of €1,200 for each rigged smart meter that he installed.

The accused was warned by the magistrate about the consequences of his decision to plead guilty but he insisted on admitting. Magistrate Peralta also issued a freezing order until the fine is paid. The accused was also placed under a general and perpetual interdiction. 

So far, some 12 former Enemalta employees have been suspended and charged in court.

Police Inspectors Daniel and Roderick Zammit prosecuted while lawyer Joe Sammut appeared for the man.