Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518643
5 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 APRIL 2024 MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt ASSET RECOVERY BUREAU M A L T A These are full-time posts on an indefinite basis and subject to a probationary period of one year. Further information and a comprehensive Job Description may be obtained from the ARB website on https://assetrecovery.mt/vacancies/ Qualifications and experience claimed must be supported by certificates and/or testimonials, scanned copies of which should be attached to the application. Original certificates to be presented upon interviews. Applications, together with a detailed curriculum vitae showing qualifications and experience and a valid Police Conduct Certificate will be received by email by not later than Tuesday 7 th May 2024 on recruitment.arb@assetrecovery.mt. We are Hiring Bureau Attendant (Handler) Jobsplus Permit 305/2024 Bureau Officer II (ICT) Jobsplus Permit number 320/2024 Bureau Officer II (Investigations) Jobsplus Permit Number 261/2024 Bureau Officer II (Research) Jobsplus permit number 319/2024 Manager (Finance) Jobsplus Permit Number 324/2024 Manager (Procurement) Jobsplus Permit Number 325/2024 TRANSPORT Malta has refused to answer questions sent by this newspaper regarding maritime fines it issued between 2020 and 2023. Last week, MaltaToday re- vealed that at least three TM of- ficials within the authority's Mar- itime Enforcement Unit (MEU) have been tampering with mari- time fines. According to documents seen by this newspaper, at least 59% of maritime fines issued in 2021 were marked as 'lost'. Meanwhile, MaltaToday has also learned that several fines levied by the MEU in 2022 and 2023 were never mailed to the offenders within the legal- ly mandated time frame. In other words, the fines were left unpaid and became time barred. But now Transport Malta is refusing to provide data on the number of fines issued by the MEU between 2020 and 2023 and their outcomes. "Transport Malta has nothing to add to its previous comments and remains committed to cooperate with the police investigation," a spokesperson for the authority said. Last week, MaltaToday lifted the lid on a scandal involving mari- time fines and corrupt efforts to profit off them through various means. Sources said a manager at the MEU often pressured enforce- ment officers to waive fines im- posed on certain people, including family members. Additionally, this person would frequently make amendments to the charges right before the courtroom session to lower the offender's fine. In its reply to this newspaper last week, TM had said an inter- nal inquiry found "no evidence of tampering of fines" but added it was cooperating with a police in- vestigation. MaltaToday asked for informa- tion on who was tasked with car- rying out the internal inquiry and its terms of reference, but TM re- fused to answer. The internal and police investi- gations into the matter are both of concern for TM employees, who told this newspaper that witnesses who can shed light on the racket had not yet been questioned. Sources had said that after Na- tionalist Party MPs earlier this year said they had evidence of TM em- ployees being told to meddle with fines, the police "seem to have pan- icked" and started calling in several employees for questioning. Following the article's publica- tion, ex-transport minister Aaron Farrugia contacted MaltaToday to clarify that when allegations of wrongdoing came to light on his watch, it was TM that asked the police to investigate the matter. Transport Malta mum on missing and tampered maritime fines scandal