A recently retired AFM colonel who is involved in three private security companies was never given approval to "engage in security related private work" by the army, this newspaper has learnt.
Colonel Claudio Spiteri, the former commanding officer of the AFM's Air Wing is currently listed as being the sole director, shareholder and legal representative of Personal Security Services Ltd, registered in 1998, and Vigilante Security Services Ltd, registered in 2003.
The two companies are registered at an Msida address although the latter is in dissolution. A third company, Kavallier Security, is registered at Mr Spiteri's personal Mosta address, despite having a different shareholder and director. The firm was registered in 2008.
Sources pointed out the retired colonel's private security work after The Malta Independent revealed yesterday that Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's driver, Stephen Ciangura, who is seconded from the AFM, has also never sought or been given permission to carry out private security work.
AFM members are "precluded by law" from obtaining a private guard or warden license. They are also required to seek approval to carry out private work.
Mr Ciangura's name came to light in a Magisterial Inquiry report about the PlusOne club incident in Paceville – the report said one of the bouncers involved in the fracas was employed by Mr Ciangura's company, Executive Security Services Ltd. The man, Serbian Boham Spasic, does not have a bouncer's license and also lacked an ETC work permit, according to the inquiry report. Mr Ciangura, who owns 99% of shares in the company (although his mother is listed as the director), could face criminal action along with the directors of the club.
In the meantime, sources say that Kavallier Security effectively belongs to, and is run by Colonel Spiteri. The company has won a number of government contracts, including for providing security at all MCAST sites. The latest MCAST contract was won in August 2015. Informed sources said the guards posted at one of the MCAST sites always phone "Mr Claudio" when some issue arises.
Other recent contracts include the provision of security guards at the Education Ministry, the provision of security services at the Attorney General's office in 2017 and a three-year contract for providing security services at the Gharghur Transmitting Tower.
Kavallier Security had already won an MCAST contract back in 2011 but saw all its government contracts cancelled the following year after being found guilty of breaching labour laws, mainly because of precarious employment conditions.
An AFM source said Colonel Spiteri's involvement in private security companies was an open secret within the ranks. In 2008 he made the headlines when a man filed a judicial protest and revealed that he and Mr Spiteri (then a Lieutenant Colonel) had entered into an agreement in 2003 whereby Spiteri's shares in Personal Security Services Ltd and Vigilante Security Services Ltd would be registered in his name.
When contacted for a reaction yesterday, an AFM spokesperson pointed out that "(ret'd) Colonel Claudio Spiteri is no longer a serving member of the Armed Forces of Malta." It is understood that the colonel has only resigned in the past few weeks. He was interviewed by One News (main picture) on 29 November 2015 about security during CHOGM. (
The army spokesperson also confirmed that "members of the AFM are precluded at law from obtaining a Private Guard License or Local Warden License. In addition, whilst serving in the AFM, (ret'd) Colonel Claudio Spiteri has never applied or been given any approval to engage in security related private work."
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1nxGj2X
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