Former minister denies involvement in Löwenbräu deal

Former Minister Jason Azzopardi yesterday rejected allegations of having ever met developer Nazzareno Vassallo or having had any involvement in the sale of the old Löwenbräu Qormi brewery to the latter in 2009.

Azzopardi was testifying in the libel suit he instituted against Justice Minister Owen Bonnici after the latter alleged that Azzopardi had met the businessman, reaching a ‘compromise’ over the transfer of the property for €706,400, which was based on 1990 estimates.

Azzopardi testified that in February 2011, then Commissioner for Lands Albert Mamo had called him, telling him he needed a meeting “face to face.” When the two met, Mamo was flustered as he explained how a contract of redemption of ground rent had been drawn up and signed behind his back, the court was told.

At a time when the commissioner was on sick leave, a Lands Department notary had drawn up the deed, eliminating an important condition, Azzopardi testified. This condition had laid down that the Löwenbräu property was to be granted under perpetual emphyteusis so long as the area continued to be used as a brewery.

Calling the attorney general in the presence of Mamo, Azzopardi had asked him “to take all necessary steps, if necessary to rescind the contract.”

Exhibiting in court the minutes of a meeting with Attorney General Peter Grech, held on 7 March 2011, Azzopardi explained how he had ordered the latter to take legal action against the government’s property division.

A few days later, the commissioner for lands filed a judicial letter against Vassallo Group, formally notifying them that they were being called upon to pay a sum of money for having dropped the condition.

“I remember telling the AG, ‘Peter, do whatever it takes,’” Azzopardi said. The case continues in December. Lawyers Paul and Alessandro Lia assisted Minister Owen Bonnici. Lawyer Joseph Zammit Maempel assisted Azzopardi.