‘Anger and disappointment’: Education minister reacts to MCAST fraud case

Education Minister Clifton Grima has expressed his “anger” and “disappointment” after a staff member at MCAST was charged with fraud and embezzlement of €2.3 million.

Francine Farrugia, who handled payroll at MCAST and is also a PN councillor in Siġġiewi, was charged on Thursday with a raft of fraud, money laundering and accountancy offences.

Farrugia had allegedly been siphoning off money from MCAST for two years - between September 2023 and May 2025 - through her role as manager in the accounting section in charge of payroll.

MCAST only became aware of the issue in July, a month into a police probe by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department.

Reacting to Farrugia's arraignment, Grima said he wanted to "express my anger and also my disappointment at these facts, which are now public".

He continued: “At the same time, I also express my appreciation for the joint efforts made by the police corps, the MCAST administration, and all those who worked to ensure an expedited and efficient process.”

Grima said that regardless of the individual involved, MCAST would "continue its work in favour of students while ensuring that it continues to safeguard the principles of good governance, accountability, and transparency.”

He added that measures have already been taken in this regard, while the work at the college must continue for the benefit of our educational community.

He did not say whether an investigation would be launched into how the money allegedly went missing for two years without MCAST's knowledge.

Farrugia is alleged to have purchased property in Malta and entered into several promise-of-sale agreements on others. The court was also told she had bought vehicles and spent heavily on luxury goods. She allegedly spent €113,000 at Harrods in London on clothing and jewellery.

MCAST has been approached for comment. A court request from MCAST for a ban on its name was denied.