AG lawyers rapped as they seek more evidence in Pilatus official's court case
A prosecution request for legal assistance in the form of letters rogatory for information from authorities in Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Leichtenstein, New Zealand and Brazil sparked heated exchanges in court on Monday, with questions raised by the presiding magistrate and the defence over why Claude-Ann Sant Fournier, a former reporting officer at Pilatus Bank, had been prosecuted when investigations are still underway.
Sant Fournier, a lawyer, stands accused of aiding and abetting money laundering activities both in her personal capacity as well as in her former official role at the bank.
“Why weren’t these letters rogatory requested earlier?” lawyer Kathleen Calleja Grima asked.
Similar questions were asked by Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech.
“Why was this person charged when information was still being gathered?” she asked.
“Her [Sant Fournier’s] life is totally on hold. How could a professional facing such charges ever hope to find a job?” added Filletti.
The lawyer then proceeded to dictate a long minute wherein he registered the defence’s objection.
“The defence cannot understand how years after a magisterial inquiry that cost over €7.5 million and when the case...