Lifting the pardon means he stops talking
Malta Today yesterday published an extensive story about how an official at the Malta Resources Authority, Godwin Sant, accepted “gifts” from the oil company Trafigura “at George Farrugia’s insistence”.
It turns out that this particular gift was a couple of tickets to a football match in England – no indication that either flights there or the hotel were part of the gift.
Well, actually yes, there is an indication: in the emails published by Malta Today, the assistant at Trafigura says that she doesn’t know which hotel Sant is staying in and needs to know to be able to deliver the tickets. So I sort of suspect the company didn’t book the hotel or pay for it, and that means they wouldn’t have paid for the flights either.
Though a gift is a gift is a gift (which is not the same thing as a bribe, because a bribe is for a specific purpose, under the law) and Sant was wrong to accept it just as Trafigura was wrong to offer it, the revelation would have had a little more impact if it had been a sizable chunk of money funnelled into a secret account via a company registered in the British Virgin Islands.
The newspaper’s main gist was that the pardon Farrugia was given might now well be lifted because he hadn’t revealed this apparently crucial piece of information to the police.
A couple of hours after Malta Today published the story, the prime minister took up the refrain and said that the pardon might be lifted “the police concluded investigations into the emails published by Malta Today”. He also said that Godwin Sant had been suspended as soon as the news broke.
I found this summary reaction – especially the director of a state authority being suspended on a Sunday morning immediately the story broke – fairly interesting.
The way the prime minister chimed with Malta Today is interesting, too.
Yes, of course that email exchange was a good news story, but because I have been in newspapers and journalism for so long, I couldn’t help but pick up that the real angle is not the emails in and of themselves, but how these could well lead to the lifting of the pardon. On reading the original story and subsequent coverage in the same newspaper, I am left with the distinctly uncomfortable sensation that the emails were published to help force the lifting of the pardon.
The way the prime minister swooped in with alacrity to pick up the same refrain has done nothing to dispel this notion.
The point here is that if George Farrugia’s pardon is lifted, he will simply stop talking. He will not even be obliged to speak before the Public Accounts Committee again because, as somebody under caution with a risk of indictment/prosecution, his right to silence will come into play immediately.
Somebody may want that pardon to be lifted for one of two reasons or perhaps both: they want George Farrugia to stop talking before he reveals something they don’t want him to reveal, and/or they want him to go to trial to make him pay.
But if he goes to trial, won’t he speak? No, not if what he says incriminates himself. There are no such restrictions through fear of incrimination under a pardon.
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It seems that the government is clutching at straws to lift that pardon.
As you say, gifts are gifts.
But for a prime minister who called the code of ethics for Ministers a “brikkkssah”, who did not request an investigation into why one of his most senior Ministers held Eur 500,000 in cash at home, and who himself accepted to travel on Ghaddafi’s private jet, giving too much weight to some football tickets sounds excessive.
It is also a threat. If they lift it, would he not be liable for all he previously disclosed under the protection of the pardon?
Why offer a pardon at all when it can be so easily revoked. This will not help future generations to trust in the promises made by any government. Unwise.
For me this sounds also like the Prime Minister is trying to shift the attention. There are so many spotlights he wants to be turned elsewhere.
Jahsbuna boloh.
What excellent efficiency. A newspaper publishes something on a Sunday morning and within two hours the police are interrogating the person concerned and the prime minister has suspended him from his post.
It looks like collusion.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/comment/blogs/48568/muscat_the_comeback_kid#.VLzI79LF9mM
It’s between Muscat and ‘Simon’.
Josanne keeps it simple.
Orwell has nothing on this man.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-01-19/local-news/We-have-published-all-we-need-to-publish-regarding-the-Enemalta-contracts-Prime-Minister-6736129005
Once ‘all we need to publish’ has been published, anything else becomes subversive.
No wonder Cassar thinks everything must be fine, dining out a welcome distraction essential to the public good.
I agree that a gift as a thank you, like a bottle at Christmas, does not constitute a bribe. It does not look good where Godwin Sant is concerned as he is an official of a regulatory authority.
How much worse was it of Tonio Fenech, a minister, to accept to fly in a private jet to see the Arsenal game.
That was a scandal, a lot worse than l-arlogg tal-lira. It means the host had the minister’s undivided attention for the 3-hour trip each way.
Gonzi should have fired Fenech next day, but instead he appeared very weak and tolerant of ministers’ abusive behaviour.
The government of Joseph Muscat by Malta Today for JDalliBA.
Very valid point! It does appear to be another orchestrated move involving the PM using Malta Today’s willing newsroom.
It is also interesting to note the haste with which the powers that be suspended Godwin Sant. It looks like they have learnt from their previous mistakes of waiting for the investigation/inquiry before taking such a decision. Or is it just that he is not one of their own (I assume?!)
Also, I wonder if they will open an investigation into who leaked these emails. It was the priority in the case of the leaked telephone calls (in the Paul Sheehan / Manwel Mallia case) and the leaked Malta Tourism Authority plans to cut the marketing budget for the UK market.
It is not in Manuel Mallia’s interest that George sings.
I think this is the crux of it.
Ara, l-prim ministru ppubblika “xi haga.”
Gvern tat-trasparenza tax-xi haga.
U ara Janice, x’tirrapporta dwar il-boss tal-boyfriend.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150119/local/pm-says-government-more-open-to-scrutiny-than-pn-administration.552496
Jeez, that furrow.
Xejn ma jsir b’kumbinazzjoni.
Ara kif gerfixhom Simon Busuttil.
The FKNK is still undecided about its referendum instructions to hunters – on whether they should vote or stay at home.
And Muscat went to Haz-Zebbug and could not utter a word about the PN and Dr. Busuttil.
Of all places, he went to Haz-Zebbug. Even Kurt Sansone could not resist it: “Ninsab hawn Haz-Zebbug, fortizza tal-kaccaturi…”
Can anyone here imagine what the prime minister would have said at Haz-Zebbug about Dr. Busuttil and the PN had they taken a stand against Spring hunting? The hunters would have gathered in what PBS would have called “a spontaneous revolution against Dr. Busuttil and the PN and in favour of minorities,” and “the Labour party denies any involvement in the organisation of the demonstration.”
They would have called hunters from all Malta: Rabat, Mgarr, Siggiewi…
Can you imagine the FKNK not coming out yesterday telling everyone to vote No, in order to protect the minorities, and that the PN is once again against the minorities?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150119/local/as-hunters-watch-and-wait-zebbug-says-yes.552476
The Prime Minister suspended the person concerned immediately based on the allegation that he accepted two football tickets from Trafigura.
However he did not suspend Manuel Mallia when his driver shot repeatedly at another driver.
He only got round to asking for his resignation when it became apparent he was losing votes by keeping him.
Can he be charged with some things he revealed when he was still testifying under the pardon, if this is revoked?
Because if yes, then I think no one will ever accept to testify under a pardon again.
And if no, he will keep mum, and I am not too sure they can charge him with much.
This has nothing to do with your post, but it resonated with me because our politicians try to pull this classist stunt every time:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/19/james-blunts-letter-chris-bryant-in-full?CMP=fb_gu
How much extra you are paying on petrol/diesel?
http://www.dieselupetrol.com
I am a pensioner and I spend €20 a week on petrol.
This government is robbing me of €9.28 a week, €40.21 a month or €482.47 a year.
But it gives me 58 cents extra a week and tells me I’m paying less for water and electricity.
Jeez, that’s an expensive libel. Eur100 per centimetre of height.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-01-19/local-news/Kurt-Farrugia-guilty-of-libel-against-former-PN-minister-s-son-ordered-to-pay-1-500-6736129004
In a household of 3 adults who drive separate cars and spend Eur 30 per week each on fuel on average, the government is making a robbery of Eur 30 per week. That’s Eur 1,500 per annum (enough to pay Kurt Farrugia’s libel damages).
Now compare that to say (let’s exaggerate) Eur500 of annual savings on the water and electricity bill for that household.
The government is netting Eur1,000. So much for their “inrahhsu l-kontijiet,” “inhallu l-flus fi bwiet in-nies,” and “noholqu mittel kless gdida.”
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150119/local/pn-launches-fuel-robbery-calculator.552558
Amazing how everything this lot does is pure evil.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150119/local/updated-pn-launches-fuel-robbery-calculator-mita-blocks-site.552558
Privitera calling it a gimmick in five….four…..three…..
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150119/local/sharp-increase-in-cars-belies-busuttil-claim-that-people-are-burdened-by-fuel-prices-government.552560
X’disprament ta’ gvern.
http://www.dieselupetrol.com/
On another issue, Eden Leisure announces its casino partner: Olympic, which operates “casinos” in the Baltic states.
The majority of Olympic “casinos” are very similar to the gentleman’s clubs in Paceville, with some slot machines.
What a joke.
http://www.olympic-casino.lv/casinos/olympic-casino-brivibas-235_n184#element6973
“Amid growing concern that Farrugia may not return to Malta, MaltaToday is informed that the police may consider issuing a European Arrest Warrant. The police yesterday visited the Farrugia household in the afternoon but the oil trader had already left the island.”
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/48591/george_farrugia_flies_out_of_malta_hours_after_maltatoday_breaks_story_
Malta Today is dealing with this story in the same way that it dealt with John Dalli.
This is also another test for the new Police Commissioner. We’ll wait and see how he tackles it.
The Police were quick to answer the rag’s questions and information about the police visit to the Farrugia home were quick to reach it.
Disgusting behaviour on Joey’s part. All he does is scheme … Shameful.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/48638/new_parliament_to_open_by_end_of_march
Hekk sewwa u xieraq, ghal-31 ta’ Marzu.
Minn Misrah il-Helsien ghal Parlament tal-Helsien.
The police should widen their investigation to include the cabinet, members of parliament, bank managers, top civil servants and fellow police officers.
They may be surprised to discover that the practice is widespread and that individuals routinely accept gifts that many a time exceed the price of football tickets.
If they find the time they should also investigate the junior staff. Although a gift, as long as the cost of the item is reasonable, is not a bribe, the fact remains that the recipient is pressurized into giving a service which often goes beyond the call of duty and at times is to the detriment of those who are not as obliging in handing out sweeteners.
This primitive practice is demeaning and should be forbidden.
Sorry, it’s not relevant to the article, but I would like your opinion on http://www.dieselupetrol.com/
I think it’s daft. Issa x’hiex sirna, Labour u nghidu c-cucati?
Sirna Gonzi Redux. U gejja telfa redux.
The telfa redux is coming because the PN is not connecting to people as yet. I know you will contradict me.
On the contrary I’ve been saying it for ages. The latest example is Simon Busuttil’s Yes. Total disconnect from his voter base.
U qed ninsew li jekk taqa l-proklama zgur mhux ser jixhed kontra dawk li huma diga mressqa l-qorti, li jfisser hafna minnhom johorgu liberati.
Tghid ghalhekk? Forsi qed issir pressjoni minn dawn n-nies biex jaqa l-kaz taghhom?
“Il-forka ghall-izviturat”. How true.
Some manage to siphon off and stash away millions whilst others get their hands chopped off for stealing an apple.
The football match in question must have been Liverpool vs Arsenal. Tickets would have cost £30 to £60 max in 2009. If Godwin Sant is guilty of accepting a £60 gift, then every public official, from a messenger to a minister who accepts a Christmas gift, ranging from a panettone to a bottle of whiskey to all kinds of freebies, should be suspended.
I’m afraid Mr Sant is just an expendable patsy in the quest to get to George Farrugia. There is someone out there who is molto incazzato that Farrugia got a pardon and now he’s scraping the bottom of the email inbox to see what he can find.
Poor Mr Sant does not happen to be a Taghna lkoll anointed one, so he can be fed to the dogs.
Last Friday RAI 3 featured a documentary on Mussolini. He kept a dossier on each party member with truths, half truths and lies. Whenever someone posed a threat (real or perceived; this applied even to honest persons), he used to frame them as homosexuals, which was equivalent to present day paedophiles, and/or had them exiled to Ponza.
Makes you think that the world has not changed at all notwithstanding all the progress.
Wonder why Joey was not that fast with Malliagate.
Who is the Labour minister who keeps boasting about his contacts and talks with oil companies? Joe Mizzi, of course.
I wonder if his name might turn up one day in all this muck that foreign oil companies have sank MRA’s top officials into.
No wonder the PM believes it is time for George Farrugia to shut up.
And its exactly what some people want. They want George Farrugia to keep his mouth shut.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150120/local/revoking-george-farrugias-pardon-risks-complicating-matters-experts.552603
Even worse ….
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150120/local/revoking-george-farrugias-pardon-risks-complicating-matters-experts.552603
Could this be one of the intentions? If, as indicated by the Times of Malta, this could complicate matters for the current cases under process, one wonders whether this is the main intention behind removing the pardon.
Since one recent resignation, there are people who have a lot of idle time on their hands and it’s not good at all.
Labour jghaddu mit-tieqa jekk ma jistghux jghaddu mill-bieb.
This type of action is not as simple as it seems.
The reactions will probably do more harm than the gift given for the wrong reasons.
A case of fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
It is one thing me expressing an opinion on this blog and the PM declaring it on TV news.
Muscat always works to make his ends meet. He goes to party clubs full of party faithful and declares that he will lift the pardon. Statements like these impress his faithful because they feel that their leader is afraid of nothing and no one.
Little do they look into the consequences of such decisions; little do they understand that there could be people close to the Labour Party that would be delighted to see George Farrugia close up and reveal nothing.
http://maltarightnow.com/news/2015/01/19/rohs-fil-kontijiet-wara-li-naqas-il-prezz-taz-zejt/
Ejja Guz, ittwittjalna wahda fuq l-iskandlu tal-fjuwils.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150120/local/update-3-john-role-to-be-retained-as-foster-care-team-leader.552592
Gvern li jisma’ il-petition ta’ Simon Busuttil.
Cioe’ jekk jirnexxielek turih kemm cucata hija cucata, jifhem.
U tort taghna jekk ma jifhimx.
Min hawn barra fost l-elettorat taf kif tidher? Tidher yet another PN leader iffissat fis-social issues. Gvern li jhenn, wens, etc.
I know it has nothing to do with this particular topic, but did not know where to post it. Government to sell 2,400 garages in housing estates. Is Willy still looking?
Music to Willy’s ears.