The Court today upheld a garnishee order which was granted in 2012, where funds from former Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia’s wife will be used to pay hospital bills.

The case was presented by the Government’s Principal Doctor, and asked for the sum of €2,221.61 which was held by Lombard Bank through a garnishee order, to be given as payment.

She had spent a few days in hospital between December 16 and December 21 2008.

Elena Codruta Cristian opposed the request, argued that her name was different to those presented on Court documents and argued that her husband, Manuel Mallia, is Maltese. She argued that subsequently, her children were also born as Maltese citizens, adding that this is why no payment would be required.

While she was not a Maltese citizen and was not married when she gave birth in 2008, she argued that Manuel Mallia was Maltese and subsequently, her children were born as Maltese citizens.

The former minister's wife argued that her middle name originally appeared as Corduta and not Codruta, and was also listed wrongly in the garnishee order.

The Court also noted that Elena Cristian did not submit her contestation of the official 2009 letter, regarding the payment order, within the 20-day period. As such the Principal Doctor has executive title over the funds and her arguments were legally inadmissable.

Elena Codruta Cristian will also have to pay court expenses.

Dr Mena Cardona representing the MP’s wife.

Manuel Mallia was Minister during the time she was granted citizenship, there was speculation that he used his Ministerial discretion to waive certain requirements, which Manuel Mallia denied doing. He married his wife in July 2012 and Ms Mallia became a citizen 2 years later.