Jeremy Harbinson’s report is the linchpin of Magistrate Gabriella Vella’s inquiry, on the basis of which Maltese politicians and VGH shareholders were accused of fraud and financial misconduct. But the circumstances surrounding Harbinson’s involvement and his firm’s sudden liquidation suggest that these findings may not be as robust as they appear.
According to a court application filed on the 12th December by lawyer Peter Fenech, Harbinson is refusing to travel to Malta to testify in person, citing his wife’s medical issues. This is a very unusual move that denies defendants the chance to challenge his conclusions through cross-examination. Without the ability to test the evidence in open court, how can the findings of this inquiry hold up to scrutiny?
Even more concerning is the liquidation of Harbinsons Forensics, his company, which occurred shortly after the submission of his report. The timing is highly questionable, as it seems to shield the firm from further accountability just as its work becomes the centre of a high-profile prosecution.
Coupled with the revelation that the firm received over €11 million in fees, the optics suggest a lucrative venture rather than a commitment to justice.
