Senior VAT officer acquitted of bribery

An employee of the VAT department's legal office has been acquitted of the charge of bribery when the prosecution failed to sustain its accusations.

Paul Scicluna was accused of having called on VAT inspector Vince Vella, on 20 October 2011, to speak to him about his investigation of Mark Anthony Tabone, from whom Vella had demanded his 2010 sales ledger.

According to Vella, who testified in court, Scicluna had given him a correction letter from Tabone which included both a cheque for a 10% fine that he incurred, and a €100 note. Vella claimed that Scicluna had told him, "these are for you".

On his part, Vella took the papers and the €100 note and left the office, but returned five minutes later to hand them back to Scicluna. The next day, after having discussed the matter with his wife, he reported the events to the Commissioner of VAT.

In his replies to the prosecution, Vella said the €100 note on Scicluna's desk did not form part of the packet of papers containing the correction letter and the cheque.

Scicluna had been a legal representative in court for the VAT department for the past 10 years.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona held that the evidence brought forward by the prosecution did not sustain the charges against the accused. Given that the case involving Mark Anthony Tabone concerned a substantial sum owing to the department, which was still sub judice, he could see no reason behind the attempted bribery.

The magistrate acquitted Paul Scicluna of all charges. Lawyers Steve Tonna Lowell, Gianella De Marco and Gianluca Caruana Curran appeared for Scicluna.