Police chief testifies in private investigator's case

A private investigator commissioned by a company bidding for a Mater Dei Hospital contract had neither met the Prime Minister nor had asked for payment from the government, Police Commissioner John Rizzo testified yesterday.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Joseph Zahra, 50, of Marsascala who is pleading not guilty to filing a police report against people he knew to be innocent and spreading false news that could alarm the public.

The Police Commissioner said that in July last year, the Prime Minister had given him two reports complied by Zahra which contained allegations of irregularities in the award of the tender. These had been handed to the Prime Minister by Joe Fenech, a lawyer who was representing Simed (one of the bidders).

When questioned, Zahra initially insisted he did not have any evidence at hand as it was in the possession of third parties whose identity he refused to reveal claiming he was bound by professional secrecy. He told the police that if they wanted evidence they would have to investigate.

The witness said Zahra told him that Simed vice president Sietse Zoodsma insisted on the hard evidence of the irregularities alleged in the report and, to dishearten him, Zahra said that the Italian informers wanted an exorbitant amount of money to release the information.

In the end, Zahra said that the whole matter had gone over his head and admitted that the facts reported in his report had been fabricated, the Police Commissioner said.

Asked why he had made up such serious allegations, the accused answered that it had all been the result of pressure that was put on him by Zoodsma who was insisting on getting evidence and Zahra needed to justify the fact that he had been paid for his services.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla prosecuted.

Dr Joe Giglio appeared for Zahra.