Two to be charged with usury

A magistrate yesterday ruled there were enough reasons for the indictment of a man and his wife who are charged with usury and living off the earnings of prostitution.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera ruled for the indictment of Pierino Fiorini, 58, and his wife Stella, 53, of Tarxien who are pleading not guilty to all charges.

During yesterday's sitting the magistrate heard Victoria Sciortino explain that she had borrowed Lm3,200 from the Fiorinis against interest about two years ago.

A lawyer, whose office was in Paola, had drafted a contract showing she had borrowed some Lm6,000 when in reality she had borrowed Lm3,200.

Sciortino also explained that since she borrowed the money she had paid the Fiorinis over Lm3,000 but still owed some Lm3,200.

Responding to a question by Dr Joseph Giglio, for the Fiorinis, Sciortino said she did not have a copy of the contract and did not have copies of the payment receipts.

The case continues.

Inspector Helga Debono prosecuted.