Oil trader was accused of stealing from his own family

George Farrugia, a businessman involved in the Enemalta oil procurement scandal, in 2010 allegedly siphoned off €6m from his family’s business, according to a judicial protest filed by his brothers. The brothers, owners of the John’s Group, stumbled on evidence that their oil trading company Powerplan, managed by George, was losing millions in agents’ commissions, which it was meant to be making on sales by international giants Trafigura and Total. The Farrugias contended that George had been channelling the commissions to Aikon Ltd, which he owned. The brothers eventually reached an out-of-court settlement of €1.2 million. George left John’s Group but maintained his involvement in Aikon and allegedly attempted to infiltrate Enemalta management to secure oil contracts. He is now seeking a Presidential pardon for evidence on the ring of businessmen suspected of involvement. Full story in The Times.