Updated 

Anthony Debono, husband of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono has been arraigned in Gozo court, where he pleaded not guilty to 13 charges in connection with the works for votes allegations.

He was accused of misappropriation of public funds in excess of €5,000, fraud, falsification of documents, abuse of power and committing a crime he was duty bound to prevent, to the detriment of the government of Malta. He was also accused of making a false declaration and having tried to prevent other people from giving information or evidence to the competent authorities. 

He was arraigned under arrest, having been interrogated for a second time at police headquarters this morning.

Mrs Debono arrived at the courthouse in Victoria shortly after her husband was taken in.

Mr Debono was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000. The prosecution did not object to bail. 

The allegations surfaced two months ago when a contractor turned whistleblower.

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He, followed by others, alleged that Mr Debono engaged them to carry out works in private properties which were then meant to be paid for by the Ministry of Gozo.

The contractors made the allegations after they were not paid. 

Mr Debono, a former civil servant in the Gozo Ministry, was also interrogated at police headquarters last Tuesday.