The court has received a large collection of luxury goods belonging to former MCAST employee Francine Farrugia, who stands accused of siphoning €2.3 million through payroll manipulation.

During Wednesday's sitting, police officers involved in her arrest testified about the discovery and seizure of numerous high-end items, which were handed over to the court in large bags.

Police officer Daniela Camilleri told the court that she was instructed to locate and arrest Farrugia on 6 August. Upon her arrest, police confiscated her iPhone 16 Pro Max. Subsequent searches of several properties linked to Farrugia - including her home and her uncle's residence - revealed a trove of designer handbags, shoes, jewellery, and clothing.

Another officer corroborated this, saying that searches also uncovered designer sunglasses, luxury handbags, and tech equipment, including an Apple MacBook, an MCAST-issued laptop, and a desktop computer used by Farrugia during her employment. A large jewellery box was also seized.

Searches extended to multiple residences, garages, and offices across both Malta and Gozo.

In her testimony, Silvana Portelli, a manager at MCAST, confirmed that Farrugia had been employed at the institution, clarifying that she was not part of the public service.

Bank representatives were also called to the stand, providing documentation on Farrugia's financial activity across several institutions.

A Bank of Valletta official presented records of active and closed accounts with statements covering January 2019 to August 2025. An HSBC representative testified that while Farrugia currently has no active accounts, she had opened two accounts in 2010 and 2015, which were closed in March and February 2021, respectively.

A MeDirect Bank representative, Monica Sultana, told the court that Farrugia currently maintains four open accounts with the bank.

The case is being heard by Magistrate Rachel Montebello. The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyers Michael Muscat and Alessia Schembri, assisted by Inspector Wayne Rodney Borg. The accused is represented by lawyers Peter Fenech and Amy Zahra, while lawyers Stefano Filletti and Thea Lynn Cesare are appearing for MCAST, with Filletti also representing the Education Ministry.