Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela told The Malta Independent on Sunday yesterday that former Economic Crimes Unit Inspector Roderick Zammit is currently under internal investigation over his dubious business interests, which were revealed by this newspaper at the end of June.

Speaking with this newspaper yesterday, Mr Abela confirmed that an internal inquiry by the police is still underway and that the inspector has been transferred from the Economic Crimes Unit. The minister added that any disciplinary action taken against the inspector would be taken by the Police Commissioner only after the internal inquiry was concluded.

At the end of June, this newspaper had reported that the inspector and his brother, former ECU inspector Daniel Zammit, had gone into business with an Italian who operates in the online gaming sector. While Daniel Zammit had joined the business, Tyche Consultancy, two weeks after he had been boarded out of the force, his brother had also joined the company as a shareholder while he was still in the force, which is prohibited under police and public sector rules.

Mr Abela was replying to questions by this newsroom following the publication of an inquiry report which looked into the dubious business dealings of Daniel Zammit and the Gaffarena family, while the former was investigating a murder in the Gaffarena family.

His father, former Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit, and his brother Roderick were also subjected to scrutiny by Judge Michael Mallia in his inquiry.

Since Ray Zammit has now left the force – for positions as head of the government’s wardens agency and as acting prisons director – as has his son Daniel, neither can be subjected to a police inquiry. The Attorney General, however, is said to be considering potential legal action against Daniel Zammit.

Commissioner’s warning to officers

This newsroom also asked Police Commissioner Michael Cassar what steps he will be taking to avoid a repeat of a situation in terms of police officers having conflicting business roles with third parties. Mr Cassar said he has issued an internal General Headquarters circular giving all police officers of whatever rank, until a specified date to declare any business interests both on a personal basis and especially with third parties.

He warned however that if such declarations are in any way in conflict with the proper function of the duties of the Force, such declarations won’t be approved.

This comes in the light of the inquiry report’s conclusions, which were also extensively reported by this newspaper at the end of June, that Daniel Zammit had business links with persons who he potentially could have investigated since one of the businesses he went into two weeks after he was boarded out from the force was with a Sicilian gaming operator; the fact that Daniel was an economic crimes inspector, he had a conflicting role. Daniel Zammit was also lead prosecutor in a murder case involving the son-in-law of businessman Gaffarena. The report found that Daniel Zammit stalled proceedings in this case, an accusation he has denied.

The report also found that Daniel, a shareholder in Diabolik Entertainment with Luke Chetcuti, son of Paceville business owner Hugo Chetcuti, threw a birthday party for his brother Roderick at Hugo Chetcuti’s villa.

Lessons to be learnt – Abela, Cassar

Meanwhile, Minister Abela highlighted that the most serious of allegations under investigation, in relation to a murder inquiry, took place during the previous legislature. But Mr Abela did emphasise that there are undoubtedly lessons to be learnt. His words were echoed by Mr Cassar who said that there are many lessons to be learnt and actions to be taken so as to avoid repetitions.

“I have a very big responsibility and as always I am committed to make the Police, a Force that the Maltese will be proud of. It is most unfortunate that the negatives that happened years back are cropping up now and shedding bad light on the Force at present,” the chief of police said.

Officers’ previous behaviour ‘no longer acceptable’– Abela

 “The fact that the inquiry was commissioned and published “marks a stark difference in attitude between this government and its predecessor,” Mr Abela said.

He added: “The modernisation of the Police Corps is a crucial part of my agenda. But beyond the introduction of new structures, this inquiry should serve as an eye-opener to all members of the force that they are under scrutiny now more than ever, and that behaviour that previously used to go by unchecked, is no longer acceptable.

“As for the Opposition, it would be much better if it reflected on the fact that under its watch the corps was allowed to deteriorate in such a manner.”

When asked whether he feels the image of the Police Force has been tarnished as a result of recent revelations, Mr Abela said that the force’s image at present is the accumulation of years of shortcomings.

“All this happened under their watch,” he reiterated, referring to the PN government.

Cassar started police investigation before inquiry

With regard to the inquiry conducted by Judge Michael Mallia, Mr Cassar said that he had initiated a police investigation even before the inquiry had been opened. “This requires thorough and lengthy investigations. These are still ongoing and, obviously, details of the investigations cannot be divulged.”

Judge Michael Mallia’s inquiry report in a nutshell

The conclusions of the inquiry ordered by the Prime Minister following a number of media reports on the Zammit family and which looked into their connections to businessmen Hugo Chetcuti and the Gaffarenas, as well as a murder investigation, were published earlier this week.

The report was compiled by Judge Michael Mallia. The report found that all three Zammits – Ray and his two sons Daniel and Roderick Zammit – were “all in full breach of the police code of ethics and the public service management code”. On Ray Zammit, the retired judge said that had he (Ray Zammit) still formed part of the Police Force he would have advised that Mr Zammit faces disciplinary steps under the Public Service Management Code. He said that Ray Zammit’s conduct was censurable but not serious. The government has said that it will not remove Ray Zammit – who has left the police force and is now on pension – from his new role as head of an enforcement agency, despite the PN’s calls for his removal. The government cited the judge’s remarks that Ray Zammit’s conduct is not serious when asked by this newsroom whether his position was still tenable.

The judge has suggested that Roderick disposes of the shares he has in Tyche Consultancy Ltd since he is still a police officer. As of yesterday, Roderick was still a one-third shareholder along with his brother Daniel and Francesco Airo – the Sicilian gaming operator.

Daniel Zammit meanwhile downplayed the shares he has in Diabolik Entertainment by saying the company was non-trading.