Labour wants independent audit of Siġġiewi council finances
Francine Farrugia's alleged embezzlement at MCAST raises questions, party says
Labour Party councillors in Siġġiewi have said they want an independent audit of the council’s finances, after a Nationalist Party councillor was charged with a €2.3 million fraud.
In a statement issued through the Labour Party, councillors said PN councillor Francine Farrugia was responsible for the adjudication of tenders issued by the Siġġiewi council and that an independent audit was therefore necessary.
Labour councillors have presented a motion requesting an independent audit and also asking the mayor to present Farrugia's resignation letter at the next council meeting.
Farrugia, who worked as a finance manager at MCAST, is alleged to have embezzled €2.3 million from the college across roughly two years while working in its payroll department. She is pleading not guilty to charges.
Farrugia has since been suspended by MCAST and resigned as a PN councillor.
Siġġiewi mayor Julian Borg told Times of Malta on Friday that he was surprised and hurt to learn of Farrugia’s alleged crimes. He said Farrugia did not have access to council finances, which are controlled by mayors and council secretaries.
In its statement, Labour said the Siġġiewi council should undertake an independent audit to ensure good governance and transparency in the way council finances are managed.