‘Enemalta executives shared oil kickbacks’

Enemalta’s petroleum division chief took commission on oil tenders given to French oil company Total and split the kickbacks with the former financial controller, a court heard yesterday. Alfred Mallia, who besides controlling the petroleum division also sat on the oil procurement committee, and Tarcisio Mifsud are two of seven men charged in court over the oil procurement scandal and both are pleading not guilty to corruption between 1998 and 2003. Police Inspector Angelo Gafà, heading the prosecution, yesterday testified in the compilation of evidence against Mr Mallia, being heard by Magistrate Anthony Vella, and against Mr Mifsud, before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit. George Farrugia, the local agent of Total who was last month granted a presidential pardon in return for information on the oil scandal, told the police that he used to give Mr Mallia a commission from what he legitimately received from the French oil giant. Mr Farrugia also said that the relationship with Mr Mallia had started in relation to the storage of oil at Enemalta’s facilities in Ħas-Saptan and, before 1999, Mr Farrugia had reached an agreement with Total in London to engage in talks for a storage...