Florinda Sultana and former banker placed under bill of indictment
The court has fond sufficient grounds for the indictment of ex-footballer Darren Debono s step-daughter
by Matthew Agius
The decree, known as
prima facie, was handed down in the case against Florinda Sultana and Albert Buttigieg in criminal proceedings filed over their involvement in a number of companies operating the Porticello - former Scoglitti- restaurant at Valletta and Capo Mulini at Marsaxlokk. Both restaurants are alleged to be involved in laundering money linked to oil smuggling.
The pair had been the subjects of search warrants and were arrested last year during a large scale police anti smuggling operation which led to the arraignments of ex-footballers Darren Debono and Jeffrey Chetcuti, together with auditor Chris Baldacchino and fuel trader Gordon Debono.
A magistrate has indicted the step-daughter of ex-footballer Darren Debono and a former high-ranking bank official, declaring that there is sufficient evidence for them to stand trial for alleged money-laundering.
The ruling was delivered against Florinda Sultana and Albert Buttigieg, after criminal proceedings kicked off against them last week over their involvement in a number of commercial entities operating the Porticello - former Scoglitti- restaurant at Valletta and Capo Mulini at Marsaxlokk, both allegedly involved in laundering funds linked to oil smuggling.
The two had first been targeted by search and arrest warrants late in 2020 during an extensive anti-smuggling police operation which led to the arrest and subsequent arraignment of former footballers Darren Debono and Jeffrey Chetcuti, as well as auditor Chris Baldacchino and fuel trader Gordon Debono, who are all pleading not guilty.
Ex-footballer Darren Debono’s step-daughter and a former high-ranking bank official, who fronted companies that manage two fish restaurants allegedly invo
Money laundering charges for Darren Debono relative who ran his restaurants maltatoday.com.mt - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from maltatoday.com.mt Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Updated 12.40pm, adds testimony
Former footballer Darren Debono was granted bail on Tuesday in the ongoing compilation of evidence over alleged money laundering.
The compilation of evidence kicked off in November following a police anti-smuggling operation.
Jeffrey Chetcuti, his fellow co-accused, had been granted bail earlier on in the proceedings.
When the case resumed on Tuesday, a line of civilian witnesses took the stand, shedding light upon various business interests of the two former footballers, including their sponsorship of a number of players at the Senglea Athletic Club.
As the session drew to an end, the prosecution informed the court, presided over by magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, that circumstances had changed since the defence had filed its latest request for bail on behalf of Debono.