IIP scheme: Chetcuti Cauchi denies obtaining ‘illegal advantage’ for clients

● ‘We have no difficulty opening our doors to scrutiny by public institutions’ ● Firm appeals for quick review of licence: ‘Livelihoods of 140 families are at stake’

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IIP rules automatically disqualify applicants with a criminal record or who are being prosecuted for a

Chetcuti Cauchi, the law firm embroiled in a passports scandal after being exposed by French television as allegedly offering to trade in influence, yesterday denied obtaining illegal advantages for clients seeking to obtain Maltese citizenship, adding that the firm had never accepted clients with a criminal record.

An investigative programme transmitted on French station M6 made a number of allegations relating Chetcuti Cauchi’s handling of Individual Investor Programme (IIP) applications. As a result, the firm’s licence was temporarily suspended and regulators are currently looking into the matter. A request for a magisterial inquiry has also been made.

In a statement signed by managing partner Jean-Philippe Chetcuti, the firm has categorically denied all the allegations. “We have always acted professionally,

ethically and with utmost diligence,

and we have never broken

the law. We are fully cooperating

with the competent authorities,

as is our obligation. We will continue

to do so until the truth we

already know is vindicated.

“The time will come when I will

gladly answer all media questions,”

Chetcuti Cauchi

said. “Today I prefer to allow all

public institutions concerned to

discharge their duties in total

freedom and serenity.”

The managing partner said that

he wanted to limit himself to the

following:

“I deny promising to obtain any

illegal advantage for our clients. I

equally deny ever speaking to

politicians to illegally intervene

on our clients’ behalf.

“It is a fact that no client of ours

”

criminal offence

whose application for a Maltese “We have never accepted clients

passport was rejected has ever with a criminal record. In addition,

had this rejection overturned. none of our clients have ever had their citizenship revoked because of criminal convictions after citizenship was granted. In any case, IIP rules automatically disqualify applicants with a criminal record or who are being prosecuted for a criminal offence.”

The firm states that it currently employs 140 people – all professionals in their respective fields – who support their families.

Dr Chetcuti said: “Allow me to make one heartfelt appeal on their behalf.

“We have no difficulty opening our doors to scrutiny by public institutions. Let them do all the work that the law obliges them to do. It does not worry us. The only thing I ask is that the review of our licence is carried out in the shortest time possible. The livelihoods of 140 families are at stake,” the firm said.