Giovanni Bonello to head Allied inquiry into kickback allegations

Retired judge Giovanni Bonello will chair an internal inquiry into allegations that OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri paid kickback to former Allied Newspapers managing director Adrian Hillman.

Kevin Dingli, Paul Mercieca and Kevin Valenzia make up the remainder of the independent inquiry board.

The Allied Group of Companies said in a statement that it is committed to provide the board with all the necessary means of investigation that it may request for the successful completion of its mandate.

Hillman resigned as Allied’s managing director last week after journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia alleged on her blog that he had received secret commissions for purchases by Allied from Kasco, a company owned by Keith Schembri.

Both Hillman and Schembri have denied graft accusations levelled against them.