Vitals auditor facing criminal charges resigns citing 'personal reasons'

Christopher Spiteri, who previously served as auditor for Vitals Global Healthcare and Stewdard Healthcare, has voluntarily stepped down.

He said his resignation was due to "personal reasons" and in no way linked to the Vitals/Steward scandal.

In what is considered one of the most significant corruption cases in Maltese history, Spiteri is accused of having acted as a “professional money-launderer."

The case revolves the alleged fraud of €300 million to €400 million in taxpayer funds in a 2015 concession where the government granted VGH, and later Steward, the right to manage and redevelop three hospitals in Malta.

He is among hose to face the longest list of criminal charges, including under-declaring income for Vitals investors, forming part of a criminal organisation tied to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, and facilitating trading in influence for high-ranking politicians Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri.

A criminal inquiry alleged Spiteri "set aside his professional ethics" when he accepted a €50,000 "bonus" from Vitals by providing them with fraudulent financial statements.

Spiteri denies all claims made against him and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

He accused the inquiry of “fabricating lies,” insisting he never knew of any criminal association during the course of his audits for Steward Healthcare or Vitals Global Healthcare.

“I have been accused of facilitating trading in influence for Joseph Muscat, Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri – the truth is that I have never even met these individuals in person, let alone facilitating anything,” he said.