Prime Minister uses state utilities billing agency to top up bank accounts of Labour officials

Automated Revenue Management Services (ARMS), the state utilities billing agency, which is in the Prime Minister’s portfolio, is being used to top up the bank accounts of lawyers who are members of parliament for, or officials of, the Labour Party.

One month ago I reported that the state company has paid, by direct order, €22,000 to Labour MP and Malta Sports Council chairman Luciano Busuttil and €67,000 to the Labour Party’s executive secretary, Lydia Abela, for a year’s ‘legal services’.

Abela’s husband, Robert – the former head of state’s son – is handsomely remunerated through an endlessly renewable contract for legal services to the Planning Authority.

Today I can report that the Prime Minister is also using ARMS to top up the bank account of Labour Party official Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who was paid €20,089 for ‘legal services’ last year, and continues to be paid this year.

Zrinzo Azzopardi also receives money as chairman of the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation, where he put Labour MP Michael Falzon on the payroll as a ‘legal services consultant’.

Lydia Abela: EUR 67,000 from ARMS

Luciano Busuttil: EUR 22,000 from ARMS

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi: EUR 20,000 from ARMS