The compilation of evidence in the disability benefits fraud case involving former Labour MP and doctor Silvio Grixti continued in court, with witnesses testifying under a presidential pardon while defence lawyers questioned the reliability of their accounts.

Grixti is among several individuals facing charges in connection with an alleged disability benefits racket that prosecutors say enabled people to receive social security payments they were not entitled to.

The case centres on allegations that medical certificates and applications were used to secure disability benefits fraudulently. Grixti is being charged together with alleged co-conspirators Roger Agius, Emmanuel Spagnol, Dustin Caruana, and Luke Saliba.

The court heard from witnesses who admitted receiving disability benefits after applications were submitted on their behalf, some of whom were granted a presidential pardon on condition that they testify truthfully about the alleged scheme.

Witnesses under pardon recount how benefits were obtained

A witness testified after confirming he had received a presidential pardon in connection with the case. The pardon was granted on the condition he testifies truthfully about the alleged scheme.

He told the court he had previously applied for disability benefits on his own but never received a response. Years later, after encountering a man he identified as Emanuel Spagnol in Żabbar, the latter offered to help him obtain the benefits.

The witness explained he had spoken to Spagnol about his financial problems after losing his job. Spagnol allegedly offered to introduce him to a medical professional who could assist him in applying for the benefit.

According to him, he was taken to a doctor for examinations and later asked to sign various documents. He told the court he is illiterate and did not know what he was signing. Spangol allegedly applied for the benefits on his behalf.

The witness claimed Spagnol told him the process had cost €4,000 and that he would need to repay the amount once he began receiving benefits. He said he repaid the sum gradually over three years, paying between €50 and €100 at a time.

During his testimony, the man appeared confused about certain details, including the identity of the doctor he had visited. Defence lawyers repeatedly questioned the reliability of his recollection, emphasising that witnesses who receive a presidential pardon must still testify truthfully.

At one point, the defence even suggested that the witness might require a psychiatric evaluation before continuing his testimony, though the request was rejected by the court.

He insisted he had never paid or met Grixti, telling the court that the only doctor he remembered being taken to was psychiatrist Mark Xuereb, a familiar name, who is currently being accused of altering official records and making false declarations in the course of his duties with former boxer Scott Dixon.

Another witness links application directly to Grixti

The court later heard from another witness, who also confirmed that he had been granted a presidential pardon. He told the court he knew Grixti personally and that the doctor himself had suggested he apply for disability benefits.

According to the witness, Grixti offered to handle the application process and prepared the necessary paperwork. He said he subsequently submitted the documents to the Department of Social Security and later began receiving payments.

When questioned about the medical basis for the claim, the witness said he could not recall any specific discussion about a particular illness that would qualify him for the benefit. He told the court he had spoken to the doctor about personal difficulties, including depression and anxiety, for which he was taking medication.

The witness said he never paid the doctor for his assistance. Although he once offered €100 as a gesture of thanks, the doctor refused to accept it.

The witness added that he had little recollection of being questioned by police during the investigation and could not remember details of any related criminal proceedings.

Lawyers Michael Schriha, Gianella Demarco, Franco Debono, Mario Mifusd, and Matthew Xuereb represented the accused. 

Police Inspectors Wayne Borg, Andy Rotin and Shaun Friggieri are prosecuting, assisted by lawyers Abigail Caruana Vella and Charmaine Abdilla from the Office of the Attorney General.

Magistrate Lara Lanfranco presided over the sitting.