Accused submitted forged tender documents to local council

A local council executive secretary tells court that tender documents used in a case of fraud and misappropriation were forged.

A tender document used by a woman accused of fraud and misappropriation turned out to be a forgery, according to the Executive Secretary of the Zurrieq local council, who gave details of how the tender documents issued by the council appear.

The witness, Executive Secretary Josianne Cilia Montfort, was giving evidence in the compilation of evidence in the ongoing case against 28-year old Annabelle Monreal. The accused is facing charges of misappropriation, falsification of documents, fraud, and committing an offence while under probation.

The witness told the court that on tender documents issued by the local council, the council’s emblem is on the side. However on the document used by Monreal, the emblem is in the centre of the header.

Next on the witness stand was Zurrieq mayor Ignatious Farrugia. He said that although he knew the accused, he never discussed any tenders with her. Moreover, the tender in question was never issued nor were there plans for it to be issued.

The case goes back to May 2013 when Annabelle Monreal convinced Zahra Trading and Properties that she could help them win a tender issued by the Zurrieq local council. In return for €3,000, she pledged to approach the Zurrieq mayor to guarantee the company is awarded the bid. However the tender was never issued.

Realising the fraud, the company informed to the police, who arraigned Monreal.

Inspector Rennie Stivala prosecuted while lawyer Roberto Montalto is representing the accused.

The case continues.