Entrepreneur Michael Bianchi questioned over ‘business dinner’

Bianchi was reportedly asked about an encounter with Mimcol chairman Ivan Falzon over dinner at a Paceville restaurant, while the bidding process for privatisation of the superyacht facilities was still open.

Contacted on Saturday, Bianchi declined to comment or respond to any questions by MaltaToday, while Ivan Falzon explained that he was questioned by the police about the alleged meeting that took place inside a Sicilian-owned restaurant in Paceville.

According to Falzon, there was no meeting with Michael Bianchi, but a “simple misunderstanding by whoever saw us and told the police months afterwards. I just happened to be booked at the same restaurant with my wife, and we were accompanied by some other people. Michael Bianchi was at a table with another couple, and I just greeted him,” Falzon said.

But police also quizzed Falzon on what he knew about a “friend who had dined with someone…” in a clear reference to suspended Mimcol CEO Mario Mizzi, who is at the centre of the investigation following a report by another bidder that he (Mizzi) allegedly asked him to be “helped” to grease the wheels during the bidding process for the privatization of the Superyacht Facilities.

“How would I know with whom other people have dined with?” was his answer.

Investigators are reportedly probing the possibility of another lunch or dinner, this time inside the private residence of a bidder, but police sources have told MaltaToday that no concrete evidence has been found to prove this allegation.

The government’s privatisation document outlining bidding conditions made it very clear that any of the prospective bidders could not contact any member of the Privatisation Unit except the Chairman, and even then only to request information and seek clarification.

The request for proposals made it clear that bidders who breached such conditions could be disqualified. But although the superyacht bidding process was stopped, the allegation that such a meeting took place could open a can of worms because of commercial interests involving the other privatisation processes linked to Malta Shipyards.

Michael Bianchi is the local representative of Neapolitan shipyard firm Palumbo, which has recently taken over the Malta Shipyards in Bormla, and who were also bidders for the Superyacht facilities.

Through his company Central European Advisors Ltd, Bianchi is also part of a consortium that has taken over the Manoel Island Yacht Yard.

His commercial interests have included the recent Dragonara Casino, Malta International Airport and many others.

The investigation started over a week ago after the Prime Minister referred to the Police Commissioner allegations that had reached his office last September.

The issue was first raised by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat in the form of a question during the close of the debate on the motion to transfer the Manoel Island yacht yard facility Bormla ship repair facility to private owners.

In Parliament, Lawrence Gonzi said he only got to know about the allegations of bribery eight months after they were made to a high official at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The official had referred the allegations to Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, who sought clarifications from members of the Privatisation Unit. Fenech told Parliament he was satisfied by their denial and insisted he did not refer the matter to the police because it was “hearsay”.