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Karl Schembri
The Transport Authority’s driving test was in chaos last week as four out of its total of six examiners were suspended from work as they were interrogated by the police in investigations of a bribery scandal.
Revealed by this newspaper two weeks ago, the scandal would involve at least one motoring school based in Birzebbuga – Swallow Garage – which would have allegedly asked driving students to pay money in exchange for assurances that they would pass the driving test and receive a licence.
MaltaToday is informed that all six examiners were called by the police for interrogations, with two let free after hours and the rest kept under arrest for 48 hours as they were questioned about their alleged involvement. Internally, the transport authority has already issued a call to fill four vacancies.
One of the arrested is known to be a canvasser of Transport Minister Jesmond Mugliett, while another one who is known to be on drugs rehabilitation, is also being investigated on suspicions that he held the driving test under the influence of alcohol following a report submitted to the police by an exam candidate.
The examiners hold between six and eight tests everyday, with the suspension of the four investigated examiners leading to a huge backlog and postponement of set exams.
Two weeks ago, the authority’s chief executive Gianfranco Selvaggi confirmed that an internal investigation had just been opened but that the police had not yet been involved at that stage.
“I will file a report to the police if I am not satisfied with the outcome,” Selvaggi said initially, raising questions about the authority’s role in investigating fraud. “If the allegations are proven, whoever is responsible will be dismissed immediately.”
The owner of Swallow Motoring School, Saviour Abela, was evasive when asked about the investigations, but confirmed that his company was implicated in the scandal.
“I have nothing to do with this,” he said initially, adding later on that an employee had been named. “There was an employee… I sacked him. I won’t speak any further.”
kschembri@mediatoday.com.mt
Links: www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/05/28/t2.html
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