Nikki Dimech case: Court hears evidence of falsification of cheques

A police inspector testified in court this morning about how former Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech used to falsify cheques and deposit them in his account. Police Inspector Angelo Gafa was giving evidence in a case where Mr Dimech is accused of falsification of cheques. He said that Mr Dimech, 33 from Sliema, received cheques from the accountant of the Water Services Corporation, Victor Testa who happened to be his close friend. The cheques were actually payable to Charles Polidano for works carried out, but Mr Dimech took the cheques, falsified Mr Polidano's signature on the back and then cashed the three cheques amounting to some €25,000 and deposited them into his own account. There were another two cheques, which Mr Dimech gave to another man, Alex Grech to whom he owed money. Mr Grech took the cheques to Mr Polidano and asked him to sign them on the back. But Mr Polidano realised what was happening. He kept the cheques, refused to sign them and filed a report to the WSC, at which point the police got involved. During cross examination, Lawyer Roberto Montalto pointed out to the officer that Mr Dimech had carried out work for Polidano during a Tax Compliance Unit investigation into...