Francine Farrugia, the local councillor charged with defrauding MCAST of a staggering €2.3 million, has resigned from all roles within the Nationalist Party and as councillor in Siggiewi, the PN said in a short statement on Thursday.

“Following the court developments related to the case of Francine Farrugia which took place earlier today, the PN contacted her legal counsel and was informed that Farrugia has resigned from all roles within the PN, as well as from her position as local councillor in the Siġġiewi Local Council,” the party said.

“Whilst the PN awaits the case to follow its due course, it continues to demand the highest standards from its representatives,” the party concluded.

Farrugia, who is 31 years old, faced charges of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, money laundering, and computer misuse in a case which is connected to a €2.3 million fraud investigation at the educational institution.

Farrugia contested the 2022 general election for the PN on the fifth and sixth districts but was not elected.  She served as a local councillor in Siggiewi, where the PN holds a majority.  She has now resigned her seat, which will result in a casual election for her to be replaced.

She was charged in her capacity as the manager of the accounting section at MCAST, where she handled the payroll of the school.  She has been suspended from her position at the school as well.

She was found to have allegedly transferred €422,420 to her bank account and another €1.9 million into her Revolut account. 

The court heard that police had found that Farrugia had bought a property in Malta and entered into several promise of sale agreements on other properties, together with buying vehicles and luxury clothes during this two year period.

On one occasion, the court said, she spent some €113,000 on clothes and jewellery in one shopping trip to Harrods in London, and police inspector Wayne Rodney Borg told the court that a "huge" amount of handbags, shoes, and sunglasses were found at Farrugia's home.

Farrugia has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

PL statement

The PL, in reaction, said: "If the due diligence of the Nationalist Party leads to a person involved in alleged fraud becoming a candidate and councillor of the PN, it is understandable why the same Nationalist Party is keeping secret the names of those who are doing due diligence on the two candidates for the PN Leadership."