OPM gives back-to-back jobs to Zammit Lewis legal firm

The legal firm of former tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis will earn at least €45,000 more this year thanks to a new government consultancy job given to him by the Office of the Prime Minister a few weeks ago.
The latest government contract awarded to Dr Zammit Lewis, who is one of Prime Minster Joseph Muscat’s inner circle of friends, is for legal services to the National Development and Social Fund. This is an entity which falls under the OPM and is responsible for the administration of cash coming from the sale of passports.
According to the contract, signed in November and tabled in Parliament last week following a PQ put by former PN leader Simon Busuttil, Dr Zammit Lewis and his legal partner Veronique Dalli will be giving legal advice to the cash-for-passports administrators at the rate of €90 per hour, from taxpayers’ money.
The contract guarantees earnings of at least €45,000 a year: “Based on two hours per diem as per Expression of Interest issued (and as per rate quoted by us), the minimum amount to be paid is circa €45,000 (VAT included) per annum,” the contract stipulates.

Tabling the contract, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat emphasised that the MP’s firm is one of...