Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/823173
maltatoday, FRIDAY, 12 MAY 2017 News 9 CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 A for- mer bank employee, who was sacked after two months and is now facing charges of defraud- ing the bank over travel allow- ances, has volunteered infor- mation on to the magistrate investigating the allegations. The magisterial inquiry was requested on a complaint to the police lodged by Joseph Muscat's lawyers. Pilatus Bank's chairman Seyed Ali Sadr Hasheminejad has appeared before the mag- isterial inquiry and presented Magistrate Aaron Bugeja with the bank's entire IT platform and CCTV footage, after it was accused in the press of having smuggled out evidence. "The Bank has also filed a criminal complaint with the Maltese police for the leak of confidential documents and information from documents of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) about the Bank to third parties not privy to such information, that were subsequently pub- lished," the bank said. Contents of the FIAU report were reported in The Sunday Times and other newspapers, detailing the allegations that Opposition leader Simon Busuttil took to Magistrate Aaron Bugeja. The report re- quested that the police inves- tigate a suspicious €100,000 transaction from Brian Ton- na's offshore company, and the PM's chief of staff Keith Schembri's bank account at Pilatus, which was believed to be a kickback on the sale of Maltese citizenship. Both men have denied the claim, now under investigation by Magis- trate Natasha Galea Sciberras, saying the payment was for a 2012 loan. "The Bank takes matters of confidentiality extremely seri- ously and will pursue all indi- viduals and parties who have disclosed information that the law considers as confidential, as well for misappropriating confidential information of the Bank including trade se- crets with swift international and local legal actions for all damages," the bank said. "There are laws that pro- hibit the Bank from discuss- ing FIAU or any regulatory agency reports and their con- tents and thereby prevent it from being able to respond di- rectly to statements published alongside the 'leaked' alleged FIAU report. Those laws also require that such reports, their contents, and conclusive findings are treated with ut- most confidentiality." Pilatus Bank said it operated at "the highest international financial, regulatory, and compliance standards" and would not allow its integrity and reputation to be used for political gain. MEPs to hold plenary debate on Malta situation after June election The European Parliament is to hold a plenary debate on the situation in Malta in mid-June, after the general election. The debate, on the rule of law, was proposed in the wake of corruption allegations, but there was an argument within the political groups over whether it should be held before or after the election, amid fears that the parliament would be seen as interfering. Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party MEPs wanted the debate next week in Strasbourg with the title 'Situation in Malta: the need for the rule of law,' an al- lusion to similar discussions that have taken place in the European Parliament about controversial actions taken by the governments in Poland and Hungary. The Greens made a separate proposal called 'Panama Pa- pers follow up: suspicion of money laundering in Malta involving several politically exposed persons.' Last week, the EP's Pana- ma Papers inquiry commit- tee said it wanted to speak to Prime Minister Joseph Mus- cat, who has been dogged by corruption allegations since his chief of staff and energy minister were implicated in the scandal last April. A let- ter sent Tuesday expressed "regret" that neither Muscat nor Keith Schembri, his chief of staff, have responded to the request. Neither Muscat nor Keith Schembri have responded to the request. Bank warns it will not be used for political gain Specialists in EXPOSED AGGREGATE (pebble look). • Available in a choice of colours. • The perfect surface for any outdoor area including driveways, pool areas and steps. • Cleaning and reseal of existing surfaces also available. • All works carried out to a high standard. Customer satisfaction is essential. Fast, friendly service. • On site quotes on request. Call on 99953411/ 99978412 or email on: lghtnjns@gmail.com Bank under media spotlight following Egrant allegations does not state against whom it has taken legal action in American court Whitehall Mansions in Ta' Xbiex house Pilatus Bank's offices