https://newsbook.com.mt/en/man-charged-with-laundering-e111000-he-swindled-from-charity/

A man was accused of swindling a charitable organisation – Fondazzjoni Wens – out of some €111,000 and laundering the money.

The 49-year-old was arraigned under arrest before magistrate Leonard Caruana on Monday, charged with misappropriating the funds, stealing a jigger from the same foundation, forging invoices, and recidivism. He was also accused of laundering the funds allegedly misappropriated.

The accused, who served time in a Vienna jail, was arrested upon his return to Malta.

On Monday, court heard that the accused now works with a Russian investment company which also employs his wife, and the couple have taken a long let on a Madliena villa that is to be their home.

The money laundering allegations cover the period between March and November 2018 but no details of the case were given in court.

The accused denied the charges, a not guilty plea being entered by defence lawyer Martin Fenech, who also requested bail, telling the court that Grech lived in Malta, worked and owned a business here.

Although the prosecution did not object to the bail request, it insisted on strict conditions being imposed.

Prosecutors expressed fears that the man could abscond from the islands by sea, as his offices were at Portomaso, while also informing the court that he had always kept his appointments with the police so far.

Court ordered his release from arrest and ordered the accused not to leave Malta, or approach any witnesses. He is required to a sign bail book three times a week and observe a curfew. Bail was secured by an €8,000 deposit and a €30,000 personal guarantee.

In view of the money laundering charges, the court also imposed a freezing order over all of the man’s assets. His lawyer asked that the defendant be allowed to withdraw his bail deposit from the frozen accounts.

“Most of my accounts are abroad” chimed in the accused, unhelpfully.

Prosecutor Marthese Ellul Grech pointed out that the source of the funds used for the €8,000 deposit would have to be investigated and that the deposit would normally be withdrawn from his bank accounts after the freezing order is issued. There were other means for this to be done, she added.

The magistrate, observing that should the defendant wish to withdraw money from his accounts, he must follow the established procedure, reserved the right to decree on this matter at a later stage, and upheld the request for a freezing order.