Former Daewoo accountant charged with falsification of Minister's foreign bank statements

by Michael Carabott

A former Daewoo accountant was yesterday arraigned in court and accused of falsification in connection with letters he distributed that contained fake bank statements in the name of the Finance Minister.

Joseph Ellul Grech, 51, stood impassively as Police inspector Ray Cremona, from the Economic Crimes Unit, read out the charges against him.

Ellul Grech, from Fgura, pleaded not guilty to charges of fabricating evidence between 15 August and 15 November. The accused was also charged with falsifying a public document and altering a person's signature on a document.

Ellul Grech was also accused of knowingly making use of a fake document, being in possession of hunting knives, a pair of knuckle dusters, an air pistol, a crossbow and two slings without being in possession of the necessary licence.

Joseph Ellul Grech was allegedly spreading bank reports implying that John Dalli was involved in tax evasion by depositing certain amounts of cash in a Jersey Midland Bank account.

Along with the letters that Mr Ellul Grech was supposed to have sent, press cuttings showing the minister's declaration of personal income and assets were also circulated.

Mr Dalli had previously issued a press statement in which he said he had informed the police about the case and also told them who he thought was responsible for the spreading of the letters.

The accused's defence counsel, Dr Gavin Gulia, told the court that during the 48 hours his client had spent under arrest, he had to be taken to hospital three or four times due to a medical condition he suffers from.

Dr Gulia also told the court that Ellul Grech could not afford a deposit in order for bail to be granted, since he had been unemployed since last January, and it would be dangerous to his health to be kept on remand.

The prosecution did not object to the granting of bail, but reminded the court that the accused was facing very serious charges. Insp. Cremona told the court that he was insisting on a deposit in an effort to deter the accused from approaching any witnesses.

Insp. Cremona also pointed out that the accused spent a substantial period of his life living in the UK.

The court, presided over by magistrate Antonio Mizzi, therefore ordered for the accused's passport to be confiscated and granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm5,000.

Police inspector Ray Cremona prosecuted while Dr Gavin Gulia assisted the accused. Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Cassar and Police inspector Kevin Ellul Bonici also attended.

Ellul Grech left the law courts accompanied by his wife as calmly as he went in.