Two more remanded in custody over electricity theft

Court remands in custody two more men charged with being involved in the Enemalta Smart Meter scandal, bringing the total of people arraigned in connection with this case to six

Hundreds of Enemalta smart meters were atmpered with
Hundreds of Enemalta smart meters were atmpered with

Anthony Mifsud, of Rabat and Martin Cilia La Corte of Marsascala were remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to defrauding Enemalta, bribery of public officers.

The prosecution claimed that 49-year-old Martin Cilia La Corte, who works as a cleaner, was accused one of the middleman between Enemalta personnel offering tampered Smart meters, and potential account holders.

In separate proceedings,50-year-old Anthony Mifsud also pleaded not guilty as charged. Mifsud, works a skilled labour with Enemalta.

In both cases the defence lawyers requested bail.  Appearing for La Corte, Dr Gianella de Marco argued that the case had been going on for a number of weeks and the police filed no reports relating to evidence having been tampered with. Dr Caroline Farrugia represented Anthony Mifsud.

However, prosecuting inspectors Daniel and Roderick Zammit, objected granting bail, saying that potential witnesses had reportedly received threats.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, upheld the claims of the prosecution and remanded the two men in custody.

Today’s arraignments bring the total of people charged in connection with the Enemalta Smart Meter scandal to six. Emanuel Micallef, 35, from Mtarfa and Richard Gauci, 47, from Rabat, both pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody, while Carmel Vella, 55 of Zejtun and Paul Pantalleresco, 55, Mqabba, both former Enemalta employees, admitted to the charges and were jailed for two years and given a general perpetual interdiction.