The Mepa board has concluded “there are no shortcomings in the conduct of CEO Johann Buttigieg”, following questions raised about a potential conflict of interest between his role and his alleged involvement in the illegal development at San Blas.

The conclusion follows what the board said were “false allegations” made by environment NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa.

It said Mr Buttigieg had confirmed to it that two companies in which his wife was involved, Żebbiegħ Developments Ltd and Ta’ Pinu Developments Ltd, had closed down or been sold off quite some time ago, before Mr Buttigieg’s appointment. “The third company, in which Ms Buttigieg holds a shareholding, hasn’t acquired any property since 2008,” the statement said.

Times of Malta is informed that Mepa’s investigation took the form of a 20-minute discussion with Mr Buttigieg in which he was asked to state whether he had any conflicts of interest.

There are no shortcomings in his conduct

Mr Buttigieg reiterated his earlier denial and told the board there was no conflict.

After the story of the illegal development at San Blas in Gozo broke, it was discovered that Mr Buttigieg’s wife was still listed as a shareholder in a development business, MMB Ltd, together with Adrian Buttigieg and Emmanuel Farrugia.

The two men are involved in a project with Joseph Portelli, the Gozitan developer involved in the San Blas case, although not in connection with MMB.

Din l-Art Helwa had said in a statement: “It should be self-evident that the chief executive officer of a regulating authority and officials should not have financial interests in the sector which they are involved in regulating.”

Mr Buttigieg immediately declared that he had no conflict of interest.