Woman conditionally discharged over computer misuse
Investigation revealed she had started to download clients' data but stopped, deleted the information and did not share it
A 30-year-old woman was conditionally discharged after she admitted to accessing company files and started to export the data before cutting the process short.
The woman did so after the company offered her a severance package in return for her resignation.
The police received a criminal report from Blexr, an iGaming company based in Sliema, in February 2025, in which they were informed that Rachel Bugeja had allegedly accessed company files containing confidential information on the company’s clients and downloaded them.
On January 20, 2025, the company offered Bugeja a severance package, and she said she would consider it.
Bugeja was also informed that access to her work laptop would be blocked.
Later during the day, the company noticed that Bugeja accessed the files from her mobile phone and was checking and downloading them.
She then sent in her resignation and informed the company that she had accepted the severance package.
The next day, Bugeja went to hand back her work laptop when she was confronted about the data, which was allegedly exported from the company files, and the woman said she had deleted the data.
The company still proceeded to file a criminal complaint since it could not ensure whether the data had been deleted or not, and this was sensitive information.
Bugeja did not get her severance package.
When she was arraigned, the woman admitted to a raft of computer misuse charges on January 27, 2026.
In its considerations, the court took into account that the woman admitted at a very early stage and was a first-time offender. It also considered that the woman collaborated fully with the police.
From the testimony of police inspector Marcus Cachia, it emerged that the woman began exporting the data but stopped.
No company data was found on her device, and no data was shared with third parties.
It also observed that despite the woman and the company having agreed on a termination package, this incident was used to not give her the benefit.
It considered that the woman was in stable employment.
While the charges carried up to 10 years’ imprisonment, the law allows for the accused to be conditionally discharged.
The court held that in this case, it did not feel justice would be done if handed a severe punishment.
The woman was found guilty by her own admission and was conditionally discharged for three years, during which she shall not breach any condition; failing to do so will result in a sentence.
The court did not award any compensation to the company, remarking that it had already gained by withholding the severance package.
Magistrate Jean Paul Grech presided the Gozo Court.
AG lawyer Marica Ciantar prosecuted. Lawyer Charles Mercieca appeared for the accused.