Local government: no conflict of interest by St Paul’s Bay mayor

The Department of Local Government has denied that St Paul's Bay mayor Graziella Galea broke any laws when a tender for the temporary collection of domestic waste in the locality was awarded to Veljos Ltd.

In a news item, One News accused Galea of conflict of interest when she voted in favour of the tender to be awarded to her uncle, Joseph Vella.

But according to the Department of Local Government, Galea wasn't in breach of any laws. This because the mayor doesn't form part of the company and the company isn't owned or includes the involvement of direct family members.

The Local Councils Act only covers kinship that includes parents, husband or wife, siblings and children. Vella, the local government said, doesn't fall in any of these categories.

Meanwhile, Galea has also filed a libel suit against Kurt Farrugia as editor of One News and journalist Charlon Gouder, as author of the news report.

Galea said that the news item was intended to tarnish her reputation.