Second Enemalta employee jailed over bribery

Carmel Vella, 55 of Zejtun, a former meter fitter with Enemalta, was jailed for two years and given a general perpetual interdiction after he pleaded guilty to acquiring ten tampered electrical metres which he installed in households against illicit payments.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia said that while noting the accused’s early admission, the court needs to send a message that public officers who are involved in cases of corruption will be held responsible for their actions. “The court will not take into consideration that the number of metres is only 10, because the behaviour of public officers could destroy the trust the country has in the public service,” the magistrate said.

Vella was imprisoned for two years and handed a general perpetual interdiction. The court also ordered the forfeiture of €3,000 which the accused had deposited in court as the amount he profited from his actions.

Vella is the fourth Enemalta employee who was charged in connection with the Enemalta tampered metre scandal. Earlier in February, Paul Pantalleresco, 55, Mqabba was also jailed for two years and given a general perpetual interdiction, when he pleaded guilt, to the same charges, upon arraignment. Ten other employees are suspended from office as the investigations continue.

Meanwhile Manoel Micallef, 35 of Mtarfa and Richard Gauci, 47 of Rabat are undergoing separate proceedings as they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Inspectors Daniel and Roderick Zammit prosecuted.