Tranter's PA explains why former Enemalta Chairman paid for her hotel room

The former personal assistant of former Enemalta Corporation’s chairman Alexander Tranter has told a court this afternoon that the he had offered to pay for her hotel stay because she had attended an official meeting whilst she had been on leave.
 
Tranter’s PA, Bronia Mercieca, was testifiying during the compilation of evidence against Tranter, accused of misappropriation during his five-year chairmanship from 2005 and 2010.
 
Mercieca was asked about her trip to London to attend the International Petroleum Forum in February 2010, during which Tranter had allegedly used company funds to pay for two rooms at the London Hilton.
 
The witness explained that she had asked to join the Enemalta delegation so as to gain experience in networking events.
 
She had originally been allowed to attend on the condition that she paid her own expenses, and took vacation leave. However, whilst she was there, Tranter had asked her to attend a meeting about the Malta event because of a last-minute change of plan.

Mercieca would also handle expenses charged to the company VISA card, attaching receipts and supporting documentation to the statements. She recalled one occurrence of the chairman having to refund money claimed on the card, which happened by when Tranter had used the card by mistake instead of another card. He had immediately refunded the amount, she said.
 
Police Inspector Ian Abdilla is leading the prosecution. Lawyer Joe Giglio is defending Tranter.