The Malta Courts recently made a decision regarding the appeal against the sentencing of a former CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) who was involved in tipping off a suspect in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The Court of Criminal Appeal in Malta upheld the conviction and sentencing of Heathcliffe Farrugia, the ex-CEO of the MGA, who was connected to Yorgen Fenech, the man awaiting trial for the murder of Caruana Galizia.
In May, Justice Neville Camilleri ruled in favor of the previous sentencing of Farrugia for disclosing information about an anti-money laundering review that the MGA was planning to conduct on a rival casino in 2019. Magistrate Ian Farrugia had found Farrugia guilty of illegally disclosing information obtained through his role and sharing professional secrets, resulting in a three-year conditional discharge.
Farrugia resigned from his position as the head of Malta’s gaming authority in October 2020 after being charged for his communication with Fenech, the former head of the Tumas Group. Caruana Galizia, a Maltese investigative journalist, was tragically killed by a car bomb in 2017 after making corruption allegations against powerful individuals. Investigations revealed Farrugia’s involvement through an analysis of Fenech’s mobile phone, which contained incriminating chats between the two.
The chats indicated that Fenech was unhappy with the results of an AML compliance review conducted by the MGA on his Tumas Gaming Group, which operates Portomaso Casino. Farrugia promised to delay the release of the compliance report to appease Fenech, who was concerned about the impact on his company’s reputation. Additionally, Farrugia informed Fenech about an upcoming AML inspection at Casino Malta, owned by the Eden Leisure Group, a rival to Fenech’s corporate group.
Despite the appeal, Judge Camilleri upheld the original sentencing in May, concluding that the court’s decision was justified. The case sheds light on the complex web of connections between individuals in positions of power and influence in Malta, particularly in the gaming and casino industry. The tragic murder of Caruana Galizia serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by investigative journalists who uncover corruption and wrongdoing.
The legal proceedings surrounding Farrugia’s involvement with Fenech and the subsequent court decisions highlight the importance of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in safeguarding justice and upholding the principles of democracy. The case also underscores the need for robust regulatory frameworks and ethical standards in the gaming industry to prevent abuse of power and protect against criminal activities such as money laundering.