A government minister has been linked to a corruption case surrounding driving theory tests involving three Transport Malta officials.

Transport Malta director for the Land Transport Directorate Clint Mansueto, former Żebbuġ Labour councillor Philip Edrick Zammit and Raul Antonio Pace pleaded not guilty to charges brought against them.

Testifying on Monday, the prosecuting inspector said the investigation started around two years ago, after police received a report from a translator that individuals who did not need an interpreter were being assigned one.

Under police questioning, Mansueto told police that he was pressured by a minister, who was not named in court, into helping certain individuals pass their driving test. The individuals allegedly were working on the minister’s villa.

Further investigations saw the police seizing diaries and mobiles, which showed individuals were being assigned specific driving examiners in order to ensure they passed their test.

The court heard how the translator was summoned to Mansueto’s Floriana office to tell him to indicate the correct answer to the selected individuals.

Two of the candidates were a Pakistani and Albanian national, while a third individual was Maltese. Zammit allegedly was present until the tests were over.

The Pakistani allegedly made it through the test after the translator gave him help with the correct answers. The Albanian was likewise assisted.

According to the prosecuting inspector, the translator received cash payments directly from Mansueto rather than through official channels.

The police managed to trace a text message from the minister complaining of difficulties faced by a certain individual. His phone also revealed chats with people linked to a political party, with a list of individuals who needed to pass their driving test.

The political party was not named in court.

Chats between Zammit and Mansueto also showed Zammit asking if “there were any candidates needing a push”.

Investigators also said examiners would be spoken to by Zammit and Mansueto, who used to flag a list of candidates needing help.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi is appearing for Mansueto, Joe Giglio is representing Pace and Herman Mula is appearing for Zammit.

Attorney General lawyers Abigail Caruana Vella and Gary Cauchi assisted Inspector Wayne Borg as prosecution.

The case is being heard by Magistrate Rachel Montebello.

The next sitting is to be held on 15 September.