Money Trail Leads to Top Maltese Officials

A trail of suspicious payments from a US-based healthcare company to shell companies has led investigators to top Maltese officials, including former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his allies.

Payments and Shell Companies

Steward Health Care International, based in the United States, paid millions of euros to Accutor, a Swiss company owned by Pakistani lawyer Wasay Bhatti. The payments were disguised as consulting fees for business development, but investigators believe they may have been used to fund a “political support fund” for Muscat and other officials.

Emails Reveal Awareness

Emails reveal that Steward’s management was aware of the true nature of the payments. One executive referred to an “Ali wire” to cover five months of consultancy payments. Ali is Asad Ali, the son of Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech, who was charged with bribery over the hospitals deal in June.

Payments to Canberra International

Steward also paid Canberra International, another Swiss company controlled by Asad Ali’s father, for business development. The company received around $450,000 between 2021 and 2022.

Contract with Spring X Media AG

In August 2020, Steward ended its agreement with Accutor without explanation. Just days later, Muscat signed a contract with Spring X Media AG, which was owned by Bhatti. The company promised to pay Muscat €15,000 per month for 36 months, with at least two payments coming from Accutor.

Investigation and Charges

Banks stopped the suspicious payments in June 2020, and an investigation found that Steward had used Accutor to fund payments to Muscat and other officials. The inquiry recommended charges against Steward’s Malta companies and Accutor, but neither has been charged. Accutor’s owner, Wasay Bhatti, declined to comment due to ongoing proceedings.

Lack of Comment from Steward

Steward has not commented on the allegations, but its management was aware of the suspicious nature of the payments. In 2022, one executive requested a list of Accutor payments, stating that they needed to be “properly assigned” and would likely have to be accounted for in detail.

Allegations Against Muscat’s Former Officials

The investigation also found that Muscat’s former chief of staff, Keith Schembri, and former Minister Konrad Mizzi had signed consultancy contracts linked to Accutor. Both officials declined to comment on the allegations.

Ongoing Investigation

The case highlights the complex web of payments and shell companies used by Steward Health Care International to influence top Maltese officials. The investigation is ongoing, with charges still pending against several individuals involved in the scandal.