Justice Minister needs help, hands out three contracts for advice

Despite having an army of lawyers at his disposal through the Office of the State Advocate, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard has decided to appoint three consultants to advise him, all of whom happen to be close to the Labour Party, according to information acquired by The Shift through a Freedom of Information request.

Veronique Dalli – the sister of Energy Minister Miriam Dalli – joins Robert Musumeci and DF Advocates as consultants to the justice minister. Attard, who has limited legal experience, may feel comforted by taking advice from lawyers with the Party’s interest at heart despite the State resources available.

Dalli is being paid over €1,500 monthly for the task, topping other government handouts she has received. She is also the Labour Party’s representative on the electoral commission (a state-funded post).

Other handouts include tens of thousands from direct orders connected to the Office of the Prime Minister, the cash-for-passports fund (NSDF), the Malta Gaming Authority under the guidance of Minister Silvio Schembri, and now the justice ministry.

Like the justice minister, she was also a reporter for Labour TV. Jonathan Attard worked with Veronique Dalli and her sister Minister Miriam Dalli to serve the public propaganda.

Musumeci receives a slightly higher remuneration than Dalli, at €1,600 monthly. He is listed as a consultant to several other government bodies, including the Planning Authority and the Lands Authority, in his double role as an architect and a lawyer.

Musumeci switching warrants according to his clients has led to an objection by the Chamber of Advocates. Yet the government is refusing to amend the law to prohibit such practices.

The third party engaged by the justice minister as a consultant is Kevin Deguara, one of the partners in the law firm DF Advocates.

The firm has been involved in advising the government on a number of scandals, from Smart City to the hospitals’ deal. The firm will receive €2,500 a month.