‘Bring it on’, Joseph Muscat says over call for further Egrant investigation
Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said he has nothing to hide, after a report read that foreign experts who looked into the operations of Pilatus Bank said further investigative steps should be taken to get to the bottom of claims surrounding Egrant.
The Sunday Times of Malta reported that an expert report which is part of a Pilatus Bank inquiry recommended further steps be taken with US authorities to get to the bottom of transaction claims surrounding Egrant, and that Former Pilatus Bank employee Maria Efimova be interviewed. Maria Efimova had claimed that a $1.01 million transaction was wired to Egrant. She had also alleged that the company had belonged to Muscat’s wife, however a magisterial inquiry had found no evidence of this.
Posting on Facebook in reaction to the article, Joseph Muscat said: “everyone can investigate as much as they want as we have nothing to hide.”
“I read The Sunday Times report saying that investigators in the Pilatus Bank probe recommended more investigations into whether there was the alleged US $1 million transaction in Egrant, even though they found no evidence thereof.”
“I have not seen the expert report and do not know its contents, but I am quite clear in saying that anyone can investigate whatever they want. I hope the United States are asked whether there was any money which was given to my wife or myself, if they have not been asked already. Neither myself, nor my wife or family have anything to do with Egrant or with any transaction, as already concluded by an independent inquiry.”
“Someone made us go through hell based on forged signatures, and we were proved right. I assure everyone that I have nothing against any further steps to put at rest even the slightest doubt that some people seem to be intent in continuing to raise. Bring it on.”
“Then, once there is again the same conclusion I am absolutely sure of, what will happen? The person who fabricated all this will continue eluding justice? Who will compensate the people for the millions that have been spent on the Egrant invention against me which was aimed at destabilising government? Who will do justice with our family?”