Updated | Tonio Fenech denies €5,000 gift, ‘Farrugia is lying’

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo says Tonio Fenech personally accepted €5,000 gift from oil trader in Trafigura kickbacks scandal.

Tonio Fenech
Tonio Fenech

Updated with statement by finance minister Tonio Fenech, David Gonzi at 9:23pm

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo has alleged that finance minister Tonio Fenech accepted a gift worth €5,000 from oil trader George Farrugia, shortly after becoming minister responsible for Enemalta, in 2010.

In a startling statement, Bartolo said that Fenech was "directly" given the present by Farrugia himself.

The revelation came in response to a press conference in which Fenech alleged that Labour candidate and party financial administrator Joe Cordina was "behind the oil scandal", as the director-shareholder of Intershore Fiduciary Services - the nominee company that owned George Farrugia's Aikon Ltd, before the trader assumed full ownership in January 2011.

In a statement by Fenech, the finance minister said it was "untrue that Farrugia gave me a gift as alleged by Bartolo. This is a lie that Labour is trying to create as diversionary tactic after it was revealed that the PL's financial controller Joe Cordina is at the heart of the oil scandal."

Fenech said he will file for slander against Labour MPs Evarist Bartolo and Chris Cardona, who repeated the allegation at the press conference. "If George Farrugia made this allegation, Farrugia is lying as well. I never received any gift from him, or of any value mentioned by Bartolo."

Earlier, Labour MP Chris Cardona said that Joe Cordina ran a nominee company that assumed ownership of Aikon, but was not involved directly in its running.

"Cordina did not anything to do with Aikon or with Aikon business. All contracts in Aikon signed with Trafigura were signed by George Farrugia personally, in his name."

Bartolo also announced that Cordina would not be running for office, and that he had suspended himself from running the party's finances.

"There is responsibility to be carried here, and we do things differently from the PN. That's what we told Lawrence Gonzi and Austin Gatt," Bartolo said.

The MP also said that Fenech's accusation that Cordina was responsible for any illegal activity in Aikon, would imply that the same level of wrongdoing on the part of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's son David: a lawyer who was company secretary of a firm that took €15 million in laundered monies from the scandal-ridden Maugeri Foundation. David Gonzi had said he had no knowledge of the company's activities, which was a subsidiary of the firm he was company secretary for.

But Bartolo was placed under equal pressure when asked why Labour deputy leader Toni Abela was not asked to resign over allegations of drug possession inside the PL's Safi club. Bartolo insisted that Abela did not need to resign since no wrongdoing had transpired over having omitted to report the 2010 incident to the police: but as it turns out, so has Cordina not done any wrongdoing, according to Labour.

In a statement, David Gonzi said he was not secretary of Sib Laborarties Limited, as had been implied, and that at no stage was he involved in the operations, administration or management of Sib. "I never gave a service to Sib Laboratories. That is why Bartolo's implication on me is totally unfounded and mistaken. I was engaged by a legal firm to provide the services of company secretary to clients of this firm. Sib Laboratories was not one of them: I have services, which I now no longer do, to Sib Ltd, and not to Sib Laboratories. Bartolo's allegation was already denied back on 30 April 2012."

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Xifajk, why don't you ask all Government employees/officers/the Republic's officials, from Assistant Director up to the President, just how many gifts via the semblance of "Hampers" they receive over the period of a year. Let us not forget all those petty bureaucrats that have the power of a simple rubber stamp at their disposal. But, I suppose, the latter have to make do with gifts of around €35/€50. This dastardly practice is so invasive that schoolchildren are coerced by peer pressure to "donate" or out-rightly give presents to their teachers, and not necessarily during Xmas. The closer to any exam, the bigger the value of the gift. Ask any disgusted parent!!!!! That is why I am always decrying such low standards that have taken hold of the Maltese psyche. The Maltese believe that you MUST make an "offering" to get results, whether in business, school or simple administration.
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Fenea . Tiftakar meta kien hemm il-kwistjoni tal-Ministru Chris Said ? X'għamel Chris Said ? Irrizenja biex ikun jista jiddefendi ismu mingħajr ma jkun ta' xkiel għall-PN . Għallura Għamel hekk għax kien implikat fil-korruzzjoni ? Jew għamel hekk għax kien raġel ? X'ħareġ wara ? Mhux li ma kellux x'jaqsam ma korruzzjoni ? Issa Joe Cordina mhux l-istess qed jagħmel ? Issa wara naraw jekk dan hux ser jiġi investigat jew jekk hux indaħħal fil-korruzzjoni tax-xiri taz-zejt ? Tinsiex fenea , int għamilt asserzjoni serja meta għidt li Joe Cordina hu imdaħħal fil-kas . Issa jekk jinstab li hu ma kellu x'jaqsam xejn , lest li titolbu skuza ? Tgħid għaliex fuq it-tnejn l-oħra ma tkellimt xejn ? Ċara ħafna did , Sur fenea .
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.... ejja nghidu li zbalja toni abela u li zbalja tonio fenech .... wiehed nghidu li zbalja biex ma jigix oskurat il-partit .... l-iehor nghidu li zbalja biex ihaxxen butu u jarma arlogg ta' malta fl-intrata ...... ma tridx wisq gherf biex tiddeciedi min seta' mar l-ahjar li kieku verament gara dak li qed jintqal u dak li qed jigi allegat li gara .... ghal xi whud il-but jigi l-ewwel u qabel kollox ....
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If Tonio's body language could be heard, it would be a whining sound of someone who is in the throes of oblivion. And talking of sounds, surely he can hear his Maltese clock ticking away the seconds....tick....tock....tick....tock. The end is nigh.
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Hekk sew. mela bicca haddiem tal gvern ma jistax jiehu hamper taht dipartimenti ta Tonio Fenech u huwa jiehu . Ara veru hawn il-gustizzja f'dan il-pajjiz, Ma nafx kif ma tisthux turu wicckom quddiem in-nies. F'dipartiment B'Kara fil-milied barra li ma jithallewx jiehdu xi hamper, isimhom jitnizzel imma l-allat foloz jistu jaghmlu kollox. Eddie weghdi u Gonzi sfregi. Veru li Malta hija taghna ikoll?
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If Farrugia is lyoing as Tonio is saying than Tonio should go to cabinet and insists that the Presidential pardon ir revocked. If he does not do this than we presume that waht Farrugia is saying is true
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What's surprising me about this matter, is the information which is being passed to Evarist from two possible sources. 1. Evarist was informed that a person who was investigated by the police, said the someone forged his signature on a document showed to him by the police!!! 2. Evarist is informed about alleged clock given to Tonio Fenech by Mr Farrugia himself (quoting Evarist during press conf. On Super One). These two instances bring me to two possible conclusions: 1. Evarist may be informed by someone from the police headquarters ( not necessarily from the core investigators themselves) or 2. He had or has contact directly with those who are being investigated. I may be wrong, but I cannot think of other options!!!!
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Commissions on one million Euro worth of oil purchases a day and all Tonio got was a clock???
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@kris insejt issemmi l-maid li ma kienx ihalsilha l-National Insurance kif suppost bil-ligi.
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Farrugia was given a presidential proclamation on the condition he tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So why should we believe Tonio Fenech when he has been caught with his pants down a number of times and yet got away with it. Tonio your days are numbered.
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I BELIEVE MR BARTOLO TOO. I AM CONVINCED THAT HE IS SAYING THE TRUTH
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PN + PL jiffangaw u l-popolin Gahan Malti. Kif dejjem sostnejt. Xejn sew.
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@fenea: To smear a person or persons deliberately to cover your massive wrongdoing is a much worse crime than even the massive corruption that has engulfed the PN - and in condoning this and supporting this smear campaign you are a natural accomplice. Even Dr Martin Fenech was sacrificed by the PN to cover the top echelons of the party in a bid to remain attached to power and then cover up all this mess. This is all immoral and disgusting and it is really touching rock bottom.
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Tonio does it again- with the full blessing of Gonzi.
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@fenea Jaqaw blajt xi felel jew? Taf li qed taghmel bhal siehbek DeMartino. Billi toqghod tikteb kumment wara l-iehor u ssabbat saqajk m'inti tippressjona lil hadd. Dan kollu ghalxejn ghax nhar id-9 ta' Marzu dan il-poplu se jibghat lil Gonzi, lil Busuttil u l-partit tieghek fuq il-bankijiet ta' l-Oppozizzjoni. Enjoy! Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Tick Tock....
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If Evarist Bartolo pronounced Minister Fenech took this kick back without first reflecting on the consequence then it transpires that the heavy burden of the law lies on Mr. Bartolo. Therefore I am sure that Evarist Bartolo have convincing evidence that Minister Fenech did receive this gift. I am more inclined to believe Mr. Bartolo than Minister Fenech. This is logical and common sense.
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How typical! Muscat tries to defend himself by throwing more mud
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X'ma tibkix il-Madonna Tonio? S'issa kellek il-kaz li bela Borg Hedley, safra b'xejn ghal-loghba tal-Arsenal, il-kaz tal-ahwa Montebello li riedu jirrangawlek id-dar b'xejn u issa rigal ta' aktar minn 5000 ewro. X'ma titbaqbaqx fuq it-TV?
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How typical! Muscat tries to defend himself by throwing more mud
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How typical! Muscat tries to defend himself by throwing more mud
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SIB Limited is the holding/parent/mother company of SIB Laboratories Limited.
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Tonio, no other option, resign now. Your position is not tenable any more.
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The oil scandal gives a new meaning to MLP;s "I'M IN" slogan - it really is "IN" this time.
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Bartolo also announced that Cordina would not be running for office, and that he had suspended himself from running the party's finances......IL PULIZIJA TRID TINVESTIGA IL FINANZI TAL PARTIT. U IS SUR MUSCAT RIED IBELLAHIELNA LI IL KAMPANJA ELETTORALI TAL PL HI ORGANIZZATA AKTAR.......U ZGUR....MIN JAF X'HEMM MOHBI. KELLU RAGUN ANGLU FARRUGIA IQARRAS WICCU META KIEN JARA HAFNA KUNTRATTURI KBAR FIR RABA SULAR?????????
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But Bartolo was placed under equal pressure when asked why Labour deputy leader Toni Abela was not asked to resign over allegations of drug possession inside the PL's Safi club. Bartolo insisted that Abela did not need to resign since no wrongdoing had transpired over having omitted to report the 2010 incident to the police: but as it turns out, so has Cordina not done any wrongdoing, according to Labour......TAHWIDA NOBIS. MAL LABOUR MA TAFX FEJN QIJED. U GHADNA FL-OPPOZOZZJONI.
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ISSA QED INSIRU NAFU MIN GHANDU IDEJH IMCAPPSIN BIZ ZEJT.
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The oil scandal gives a new meaning to MLP;s "I'M IN" slogan - it really is "IN" this time.
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Luke Camilleri
Ihobbhom ir-rigali il-Ministru Fenech..... min jirrangalu id-dar ON THE HOUSE, min ihallaslu xi vjagg fuq xi private jet biex immur jara' xi loghba fooball, min juri xi apprezament mas-segretarju tieghu ghal kampanja elettorali..... Iva imbghad irrid jghti l'impressjoni li hu xi Beatu, bir raggiera li kulltant jisma il-Madonna tibki! HU JBIKKIJA IL-MADONNA kif imexxi fejn ikun involut hu u ta' mieghu, BLA EBDA KONFLITT TA' INTERESS, suppost!
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"There is responsibility to be carried here, and we do things differently from the PN. That's what we told Lawrence Gonzi and Austin Gatt," Bartolo said.....IL VERITA HI LI JOE CORDINA KIEN INVOLUT FIL KAZ GHAX IRRIZEJNA. U GONZI GATT U FENECH LI IL PL ILU JGHAJJAT LI HUMA INVOLUTI U SISSA GHAD MHEMM L-EBDA PROVI TA DAN MA IRRIZENJAWX GHAX MUMIEX INVOLUTI. NISPERA LI IL PULIZIJA TINVESTIGA IL FINANZJAMENT TAL PL LADARBA JOE CORDINA IT TEZORIER KIEN INVOLUT FIL KAZ.