Gozo whistleblower texted Debono over unpaid construction

Former minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono received an SMS from the Gozitan contractor turned whistleblower, who messaged her because her husband Anthony would not reply to his telephone calls and messages asking him to pay up for works the contractor had carried out. 

The SMS was sent to Anthony Debono in Maltese, and a copy was then also sent to Giovanna Debono.

It read: Toni issa ghadda hafna zmien hu ghandi ma thallastx ma nistax nibqghu sejrin hekk. Ix xoghol ghamiltulek kif xtaqt int hu lil min qatli int issa dawn in nies. 

[“Toni much time has passed and I have not been paid yet.  We cannot continue like this. I did the work as you wanted me for the people you indicated now these people have what they wanted and I have not yet been paid.  Do you think this is right?”]

The SMS was sent on 7 December, 2014.

MaltaToday is informed that the contractor is owed €50,000, including VAT, by the Gozo ministry for works commissioned by Anthony Debono in his role as a Gozo ministry employee in charge of projects and works.

He has admitted that he was aware he was doing irregular works and that it was not a legitimate activity.

Last Sunday MaltaToday revealed how Minister Debono’s husband Anthony, an officer in charge at the ministry’s works division, would assign construction jobs to private contractors for work carried out for constituents on the 13th district.

Giovanna Debono said on Saturday when asked about the matter that that was the first time she was hearing about it and eventually denied any wrong-doing, describing the whole episode as a charade manipulated by Joseph Muscat.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has said that he will wait for the conclusions of the police investigations to see if he should suspend the former minister.

The same contractor revealed that 75% of all works were done in private residences and the rest for local councils, but without the necessary tenders or procurement arrangements.

When asked to specify, the contractor referred to the construction of a five-a-side football ground at a local council which was run by a mayor, also called Anthony Debono.

He also admitted that he did receive some payments for his works. On 26 February, 2013, a week before the elections, he received €1,604, after receiving €1,565 on 7 February, 2013, and €444 on 15 December, 2011.