Rita Schembri 'lied' to review board, used public office for private work - inquiry

The head of the Government’s internal audit agency, Rita Schembri, lied under oath to a review board investigating allegations that she had abused her public office, an inquiry found. The board chaired by Auditor-General Anthony Mifsud, said Ms Schembri’s position has been “seriously compromised”. She is currently on long leave. Besides multiple instances where Ms Schembri gave false evidence to the board, the review board upheld claims that she had made illicit use of official data for personal gain. Businessman Philip Rizzo had alleged that Schembri was using her civil service office to broker a deal to buy out an existing Casino di Venezia partner. The spotlight fell on her when former European Commissioner John Dalli pointed to her role in the EU investigation that led to his resignation. mmicallef@timesofmalta.com Full story in The Times.