Rita Schembri investigation still ‘ongoing’

The investigation into allegations made against Rita Schembri, who heads the Government’s Internal Audit and Investigations Directorate, is still ongoing. Auditor-General Anthony Mifsud was in November asked to look into claims made by the media that Ms Schembri used her government office to conduct private business, which she has always denied. A civil service review board, which recommended the investigation be carried out by the Auditor-General himself, had also expressed the desire that it should be concluded within three weeks. The investigation has now entered its fifth week. “Although this investigation is being given priority by the National Audit Office, at this stage it would be inopportune to establish a date when the report will be concluded,” a spokesman for the NAO said. Ms Schembri had herself asked to be investigated and has gone on leave, pending the conclusion of the investigation, to focus on her defence. She is accused of having used her offices to conduct private business and also of failing to declare a potential financial interest. Businessman Philip Rizzo was reported by Malta Today saying that he had a long string of detailed e-mails proving that she was...