Mooring spots were traded for votes on eve of election, criminal report alleges

Ex-MP Jason Azzopardi has filed a criminal report over allegations that people were allowed to “illegally jump” the lengthy waiting list for boat mooring permits on the eve of the general election.

Azzopardi details in the report how he was informed that in the days leading up to the May 30 election, individuals were contacted about the permits by Labour Party officials.

They were instructed to “quickly swear an oath” that a family member previously had a mooring spot in the location they were requesting, therefore entitling them to the permit, the report says.

In the last three days of the election campaign, including on voting day, Azzopardi alleges that Transport Malta, through public officials, issued more than 38 permits for moorings or buoys at the beaches of Għadira, St Paul’s Bay (near Gillieru), Birżebbuġa (including Pretty Bay) and Marsascala.

“The quid pro quo was that they would vote for the Labour Party,” Azzopardi said.

He alleges more than 50 individuals went to the same Żejtun notary to swear this oath in the lead up to the election.

Azzopardi said the notary in question did nothing wrong, as she was merely administering an oath based on the declarations of those appearing before her.

“These 50 or more individuals were granted the mooring permits before voting day, thereby illegally jumping ahead of all those who have been waiting their turn for years,” Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi details how a police sergeant benefitted from the same treatment, “illegally” jumping the queue and being given a mooring spot of his choosing in Pretty Bay.

The ex-MP provided the GPS coordinates of the mooring spot in questions in his report.

Adverts illegally offering rent mooring spots

He further alleges that a public official from a minister’s office called a man in Marsascala, asking if he needed anything.

When the man said he wanted a mooring spot for his boat, the individual was told to immediately place a buoy in his location of choice, and the permit would be issued to him in Marsascala Bay.

The ex-MP also flagged public adverts on social media “illegally” offering to rent mooring spots which are the property of Transport Malta.

Azzopardi said he was informed by Transport Malta officials that mooring spots are not supposed to be rented out.

Some of the adverts were for mooring permits which had been issued in recent weeks and months. The ex-MP said it is “inexplicable” that Transport Malta is not aware of this “illegal conduct”.

While Azzopardi stressed that he is not in a position to verify all the information passed on to him by his sources, an immediate investigation coupled with a magisterial inquiry should commence before “evidence is destroyed”.

He called on the police to investigate the allegations for potential corrupt practices under electoral law, and also other potential offences including bribery, fraud and criminal association.

There have been multiple claims of corrupt practices in the run-up to the general election.

Times of Malta had reported Gozo business owners saying they are facing a severe shortage of local staff as ministers allegedly handed out jobs in exchange for votes ahead of the election. And according to a Times of Malta analysis, the Planning Authority refused planning applications at a fraction of its usual rate in the weeks before the election.