Gozo minister gave husband clearance for works - Club president was the whistleblower himself
The contractor-turned-whistleblower in the ‘works-for-votes' case was the president of Gharb Rangers football club at the time when its facilities were upgraded through this ‘scheme’ managed by the Gozo Ministry, a court heard today.
It also transpired that former Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono had given her clearance to her husband Anthony, who was in charge of the Construction and Maintenance Unit within her ministry, to carry out works without the approval of his superiors.
This evidence emerged during the hearing of 59-year-old Anthony Debono who is pleading not guilty to 13 charges. Mr Debono, is accused of using public funds to carry out works in private properties belonging to his wife’s constituents.
During today’s sitting, Gharb Mayor David Apap Agius who has been at the helm since 1997, testified that about 10 years ago, the council had asked for the ministry’s financial support for three projects. These were the upgrading of the Gharb Rangers FC football pitch, a five-a-side pitch at the primary school and a concrete platform to be used by the feast committee.
The mayor said, that it was standard procedure for Gozitan councils to try and seek funds from the central...