The US state department “has credible information that Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi were involved in corrupt acts that included using their political influence and official power for personal benefit”. That was a hammer blow to the fiction created by those who, like President George Vella, keep reminding us that there was nothing illegal in opening Panama companies.

The US state department doesn’t mince words: “Mizzi and Schembri were involved in a corrupt scheme that entailed the award of a government contract for the construction of a power plant and related services in exchange for kickbacks and bribes”. These weren’t allegations.  They are categorical statements. “Mizzi and Schembri were involved”, not were allegedly involved, or possibly involved or might have been involved. The Electrogas project, the “corrupt scheme”, was awarded in exchange for “kickbacks and bribes”.

The US state department has wrecked the fiction Labour painstakingly built - that Electrogas reduced utility bills and redeemed the nation. The reality the State Department so starkly exposed is that Electrogas benefited only Labour’s chief crooks.

And Joseph Muscat knew everything. Keith Schembri himself testified under oath “Rest assured, I did nothing behind Joseph Muscat’s back”.  Schembri insisted: “Muscat knew everything, I hid nothing from him”.

Muscat was up to his neck in what the US State Department called “corrupt acts”. Schembri and Mizzi have been punished with the ultimate US sanction - they, and their close family, are banned from ever entering the US in a move aimed to “deter future abuse and promote accountability”.

So what about Joseph Muscat who supervised Mizzi and Schembri as they engaged in that “corrupt scheme” and protected them for years? The US government does not comment on former government officials who haven’t yet been sanctioned. But when asked about Muscat, a US embassy official stated “We take all allegations of corruption seriously and we continue to monitor investigations into corruption in Malta closely”.

For years Labour has been duping the nation.  For years it relentlessly persecuted and humiliated those like Daphne Caruana Galizia, Simon Busuttil and Repubblika who exposed their corruption. Repeatedly Labour MPs protected Mizzi and Schembri through their parliamentary votes. Even now Glenn Bedingfield outrageously protects Konrad Mizzi at the PAC. Labour MPs mount concerted efforts to prevent Mizzi from facing questions enabling his insolence and arrogance. For years Labour has denied any hint of corruption in the Electrogas deal.

Kurt Farrugia, Muscat’s spokesperson, distorted the damning NAO conclusions beyond recognition. “Auditor General concludes that #Malta Power Station process was transparent and serious. Dispels allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest. Expect @PNmalta spin. But report is in #english language for all to read,” he tweeted.  The US State Department statement is in English too - and it’s not PN spin.

ONE news hid the US condemnation of Schembri and Mizzi from its viewers. Instead it informed them that they can enjoy black pudding and tripe thanks to progress at the national abattoir.  TVM relegated the state department’s statement to the very end of its news bullettin.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Robert Abela fiddles as Rome burns. Abela has made no comment, no statement and no press conference about the humiliating decision taken by the US State Department. The State Department must have robust evidence of corruption, kickbacks and bribes to take such a drastic measure. Yet Robert Abela is not shocked, surprised, embarrassed or ashamed. Judging by his failure to react at all, he couldn’t be bothered.

Malta has reached the stage where foreign governments are compelled to resort to the most extreme measures to try and “promote accountability and to disrupt and deter future abuse” and “to combat corruption” in Malta. The United States is appalled at the absolute failure of local authorities not only to prosecute but even to investigate rampant “corrupt acts”.

The attorney general and the police commissioner have intently looked away while corruption festers under their very noses.  Now the United States slaps that corruption in their face in a desperate attempt to jolt them into action. Still complete silence from the Police commissioner, the Attorney General and the Prime minister.

This same week it was revealed that Ali Sadr Hasheminejad, Pilatus bank owner, had a magisterial arrest warrant issued against him months ago - but the police took no action. Keith Schembri, Yorgen Fenech and Joseph Muscat travelled together to Hasheminejad’s lavish wedding in Italy. No wonder Pilatus bank was protected by Labour and its media organisation for years.

This same week the NAO published its second report on the shockingly corrupt Vitals deal.  The process to award the concession, the NAO concluded was “staged and deceitful”. The NAO recommended further investigation by the competent authorities into possible misuse of public funds - millions of euro went missing. Konrad Mizzi provided waiver upon waiver to Vitals to spare them financial penalties and earn them more millions despite failing to meet any milestone. Labour agreed to pay Vitals 100 million euro as well as all debts incurred if the deal was rescinded. Joseph Muscat collected 60,000 euro from companies that were suspiciously paid over 3 million euro by Steward as soon as they took over the concession. Millions of euro from our taxes still pour into the concessionaire’s pockets.

And not a flicker from the AG or the Police Commisioner.

Instead of a humble apology for Labour’s corruption, Robert Abela shamelessly claims that “we have brought in higher standards”. Labour’s foetid corruption is globally exposed by the US state department, and Abela doesn’t even twitch. With his powerful media organisation he continues to create a fantasy smokescreen of Christmas presents under his mega Christmas tree, a cannabis haven, and the amazing skate park in Msida. Three more of his MPs, including a Minister, are culled by rottenness yet Abela hasn’t bothered to appoint a new Education Minister. As COVID runs riot, Abela leaves education adrift, and ignores ruinous US accusations of corruption.

Abela has truly lost the plot. Pathetically out of his depth, he fiddles while Rome burns.