Ex-economic crimes inspector sentenced for Mafia-style threats

In an unexpected turn of events, a former inspector from Malta’s Financial and Economic Crimes Authority (FACA) has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of making Mafia-style threats. The sentence, handed down by a magistrate in a packed courtroom at the Criminal Court in St. George’s Square, Valletta, has through the local law enforcement community.

From Enforcer to Offender

Joseph Camilleri, a 45-year-old father of two from the quiet town of Żurrieq, was once a respected figure in Malta’s fight against economic crime. His fall from grace began in 2019 when he was caught on tape making explicit threats against a local businessman, accusing him of not paying him ‘protection money’. The businessman, who wished to remain anonymous, had reported Camilleri to the police after receiving a series of menacing calls.

“I never thought someone who was supposed to uphold the law would turn around and threaten me like that,” the businessman said in an interview with Hot Malta. “It’s terrifying to think that someone with that kind of power and knowledge could be abusing their position like that.”

Caught on Tape

The businessman, acting on a tip from a friend, recorded one of Camilleri’s calls. The tape, played in court, captured Camilleri using explicit language and making direct references to the Mafia. “You know what happens to people who don’t pay their debts, don’t you?” Camilleri was heard saying. “We have ways of making people… disappear.”

The tape was the key piece of evidence in the case against Camilleri. His defense team argued that the threats were empty and made under the influence of alcohol, but the court was not convinced.

Impact on Malta’s Law Enforcement

The case has raised serious questions about the integrity of Malta’s law enforcement agencies. While Camilleri’s actions were personal and not reflective of FACA’s mission, the incident has highlighted the need for stricter oversight and better mental health support for law enforcement officers.

“This is a wake-up call for us,” said a high-ranking officer at the Malta Police Force who wished to remain anonymous. “We need to do a better job of supporting our officers and making sure they have the resources they need to deal with the stresses of the job.”

The case has also sparked a conversation about the culture of impunity that can sometimes exist within law enforcement agencies. Some have called for stricter penalties for officers who abuse their power, while others have argued for more education and training on ethical decision-making.

Camilleri, who has been stripped of his police rank and pension, will serve his sentence on weekends. He will also have to pay a €2,000 fine and will be under probation for two years. His lawyer has indicated that they will appeal the sentence.

For the businessman who was threatened, the case is far from over. “I’m just glad that justice has been served,” he said. “But I’m also worried about what happens next. I hope that this sends a message to anyone else who thinks they can use their position to intimidate people.”

As Malta continues to grapple with the fallout from this case, one thing is clear: the island’s law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant in their fight against corruption and abuse of power, no matter where it comes from.