The authorities were urged on Monday to consider whether gaming advertising ought to be afforded the same sensitive approach as alcohol and tobacco products. The call was made by a magistrate as a 63-year-old former customs officer who lost everything to gambling admitted money laundering and said he wanted his situation to serve as a lesson to others. He was jailed for three years. Oreste Zammit was arraigned in 2020 and accused of money laundering, misappropriation, misuse of public funds for his own private advantage, committing crimes which he was duty-bound to prevent as well as failing to pay customs duties on alcoholic beverages. Police had explained that his cash deposits over a span of seven years or so, had totalled some €1.8 million, an amount which did not tally with his lawful income. Zammit initially pleaded not guilty and proceedings continued. However, earlier this month, the Attorney General and the accused’s lawyer told the court that a plea deal had been reached and that Zammit intended to register an admission. The parties agreed on a 3-year effective jail term and a fine of €110,000. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech warned Zammit about the legal...
↧