An investigation into allegations of nepotism in the recruitment of clerical staff at Gozo General Hospital has found no breach of ethics by Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela, and the case has been officially closed.

The complaint, filed with the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life on 7 August 2025 by architect and ADPD Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo, was based on reports published the same day by news portal The Shift.

The media house alleged that individuals with personal connections to the Minister had been employed as clerks at the hospital through a private contractor, raising concerns about nepotism and adherence to ethical standards.

According to the reports, George Abela – identified as the Minister’s nephew – had been recruited indirectly via a private company, Signal 8, rather than through standard government hiring procedures. A subsequent article also claimed that his partner, Anastasia Cassar, had similarly secured employment through the same company.

Anonymous individuals cited in the reports argued that the use of private contractors could be a means of bypassing public service recruitment protocols, potentially undermining transparency and merit-based selection.

Standards Commissioner Joseph Azzopardi’s investigation showed inconsistencies in the stated requirements for clerical roles at Gozo General Hospital.

While Minister Abela cited communication skills, professional appearance, a clean police conduct certificate and five O-levels as key criteria, Kim Grech of Signal 8 Security Services Malta Ltd confirmed only the O-level requirement and added the need for an ECDL qualification, the report said.

Evidence reviewed by the Standards Commissioner confirmed that both George Abela and Anastasia Cassar met the minimum academic criteria, with Cassar also holding an ECDL, while Abela possessed an O-level in computing. Testimony from Jovan Grech and Grech indicated that all candidates meeting the basic requirements are typically recruited due to a shortage of applicants and high staff turnover, and that no direction had been received from the Health Ministry regarding these specific hires.

Although candidates are formally assessed by the hospital, none referred by Signal 8 are rejected in practice because there are generally not enough applicants, the report noted.

The investigation raised concerns about the use of generic job advertisements by the agency, which does not specify that vacancies are based at Gozo General Hospital.

The report noted that for one to know where they were applying for, they had to rely on word of mouth. The Commissioner said that he “understands that it is common practice for companies like Signal 8, as employment agencies, to issue calls without saying what entities that advertising for. However, this practice is not necessary suitable for the public sector,” he said.

“One must keep in mind that even though those engaged in this manner are not employed by the government, the government is still indirectly paying their wages,” the report read.

A generic call for applications effectively excludes anyone not actively looking for work but who may be tempted to work at the Gozo General Hospital (in this case) regardless, as they have no way of knowing that the call for applicants is for the hospital.

“A generic call gives an advantage to those who have access to this information, and allows the possibility of injustices,” the Standards Commissioner wrote.  He also noted that a generic statement also works against the interest of the public entity which commissioned it, as it is limiting the number of possible applicants.

The Commissioner said that when it comes to appointments in the public service, reasonable opportunity to view it should be given to anyone eligible – but it is his view that a call for applicants cannot satisfy this requisite if it does not indicate where the open job vacancy is.

Regardless though, the investigation concluded that there was no evidence to substantiate a breach of the Ministerial Code of Ethics. The findings therefore cleared Minister Abela of any wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.

However, the report raised broader concerns about recruitment practices involving third-party agencies. It recommended that, where government entities engage private employment agencies, recruitment should be conducted through transparent public calls for applications. These calls should clearly indicate the public entity or organisation requiring staff, in order to safeguard principles of fairness and meritocracy, the Standards Commissioner said.

The report also warned of potential future risks, noting that any move to offer direct government employment to individuals initially recruited through indirect or generic calls could undermine the integrity of the public service recruitment system.

Copies of the report were distributed to the complainant, the Minister, the Parliamentary Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Principal Permanent Secretary, and the Public Service Commission for their information and consideration.

The report was made public by ADPD on Tuesday.