Six family members arraigned on usury, money laundering charges

Updated 3.30pm with more photos

Six individuals from the same family were arraigned on Wednesday morning, accused of usury and money laundering.

The six were arrested in a series of raids in Marsa on Monday. Among them are Carlos Pace, 24 and his half-brother Cleaven Pace, 20, who are also facing criminal proceedings in connection with the drug heist from an AFM barracks last year when some 200kg of cannabis resin worth an estimated €600,000 were stolen.

Arraigned with them on Wednesday was their father Keith and his partner Maria Grixti, 49 and grandparents  Lawrence and Emanuela Pace, 73 of Marsa.

All six were accused of money laundering. Keith Pace, Carlos Pace and  Maria Grixti were also accused of usury. Keith, Cleaven and Carlos Pace were also accused of breaching bail. 

Keith Pace, right, his sons and parents were all arraigned on Wednesday.

They denied the charges. 

Police inspector Lianne Bonello said that the police had investigated the finances of Lawrence Pace, Emanuela Pace, Keith Pace, his sons Carlos and Cleaven Pace, and his partner Maria Grixti.

The inspector explained that Keith Pace has several convictions and ongoing cases, while Carlos Pace has two pending cases against him and Cleaven Pace has only one case against him relating to the cannabis heist from the AFM barracks. Grixti has a suspended sentence, Bonello said, and added that the elderly parents had prior convictions related to fights.

“Keith Pace has never been in a regular employment to justify his assets and wealth. The police went to the two residences and found some €120,000 in cash. The money was not in a safe, but hidden behind the fireplace and the false ceiling among other places,” Bonello said.

Cleaven Pace hiding his face as he arrives for his court appearance.

He said that several phone calls, including recorded phone calls from prison, revealed that Keith Pace was allegedly loan-sharking.

“While Keith Pace was in prison, Maria Grixti was handling the operation,” the police inspector said.

Bonello also pointed out that Carlos and Cleaven Pace also have wealth which does not tally up with their lifestyle. Both men had declared in court that they were unemployed.

Recordings also showed that Carlos Pace was loansharking, the inspector said.

Lawrence and Emanuela Pace leave court on Wednesday after being granted bail.

As for the elderly parents, the police found €29,000 in a false ceiling of their house.

Lawrence Pace has a Jaguar car registered in his name, and Emanuela Pace has a Corvette worth €120,000.

“We also have reports that Keith Pace gained access to certain properties, which he does not own, fixed them up and rented them out to third parties,” Bonello concluded.

The court upheld a request for a freezing order on the assets of the accused.

On Wednesday afternoon, the court granted Lawrence Pace and Emanuela Pace bail against a €1,000 deposit and a €15,000 personal guarantee each. They have to sign the bail book twice a week. A curfew was also imposed.

Magistrate Monica Vella presided the arraignment. AG lawyers Neville Galea and Michael Muscat prosecuted assisted by police inspector Lianne Bonello. Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adreana appeared for all six. Lawrence Pace and Emanuela Pace were also assisted by lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri.