Former Inspector’s Mafia Threats: A Stain on Malta’s Anti-Corruption Efforts

In the heart of Valletta, where the sun casts a warm glow on the historic buildings, the irony is stark. A man who once swore to uphold the law, an ex-economic crimes inspector, is now found guilty of making Mafia-style threats. The case of Joseph Xuereb, a former high-ranking official at the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), has through the island’s financial sector and beyond.

From Enforcer to Offender

Xuereb, a familiar face in Malta’s financial circles, was convicted on Tuesday following a trial that laid bare the stark contrast between his past and present. The court heard how Xuereb, in a fit of rage, threatened a businessman, uttering phrases like “I’ll make you sleep with the fishes” and “You’ll end up like Caruana Galizia.” The latter reference was a chilling nod to the journalist assassinated in 2017 for her anti-corruption work.

The businessman, who had been involved in a dispute with Xuereb over a property deal, recorded the threats. The court found Xuereb guilty, sentencing him to six months in prison, suspended for three years, and ordering him to pay a €2,000 fine.

Malta’s Anti-Corruption Struggle

Xuereb’s conviction comes at a time when Malta is grappling with its reputation in the wake of the Panama Papers and Daphne Project scandals. The island, once praised for its financial sector, now finds itself under scrutiny for alleged money laundering and corruption. Xuereb’s actions, a former enforcer turning offender, only serve to fuel these concerns.

Malta’s anti-corruption agency, the Malta Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), has been at the forefront of the battle. Yet, incidents like Xuereb’s threaten to undermine public trust in these institutions. “It’s a slap in the face,” said a source close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We’re fighting hard to clean up Malta’s image, and then something like this happens.”

: Strengthening Institutions and Trust

As Malta looks to the future, the challenge is clear. The country must not only strengthen its institutions but also rebuild public trust. This means not just punishing wrongdoing, but also ensuring that those who break the law, no matter their past, face justice.

Xuereb’s conviction is a step in the right direction. Yet, it’s a reminder that the battle against corruption is far from over. As Malta continues to grapple with its image and its past, one thing is certain: the fight for transparency and accountability must go on.

In the words of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who dedicated her life to exposing corruption, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Malta, and its institutions, must continue to act.