Man admits to holding on to payments meant for his employers

A court has placed on probation a man who misappropriated funds from a number of companies, after hearing that he had repaid the misappropriated amounts.

Mauro Busuttil, 28, from Fleur De Lys had been accused of misappropriating payments for services and rentals from MFCC and Corinthia Group, as well as client payments from Demajo Group. The funds are understood to have been intended for his employers. 

He was also accused of relapsing.

The accused had refused to speak to a lawyer before being questioned.

Busuttil had admitted to the charges during a sitting in November, persisting in his admission of guilt, despite the court warning him of the possible consequences.

The court, presided by magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo, had also heard lawyers for MFCC, Corinthia and Demajo group confirm that the amounts taken had since been refunded.

Having seen the man’s admission of guilt, the court convicted him of the charges, imposing a sentence of probation for three years.

Police Inspectors Rennie Stivala and Priscilla Caruana Lee prosecuted.

Lawyer Mario Mifsud was defence counsel. Lawyers Jeffrey Mifsud Farrugia and Mark Simiana appeared for the victims.