FIAU denies Ferris’ employment was terminated on political grounds

The FIAU "categorically and in the most forceful manner" denies that the decision to terminate the employment of Jonathan Ferris as its investigator "was motivated by any political or other unfair or discriminatory motives or considerations or that it was otherwise taken to stop him from performing his duties".

In a statement issued through the Department of Information, the board of governors of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit said it regretted regrets the ongoing speculation about the termination of employment of former FIAU official Jonathan Ferris and of another employee in June 2017.

Ferris has been at the centre of a political controversy after claiminf he was unfairly dismissed from the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit because he was investigating serious crimes involving top government officials. He has given a number of interviews, in which he described Malta as a corrupt country.

Yesterday,  Opposition Leader Adrian Delia had called upon the Prime Minister, in a letter, to provide such protection after Ferris had made it public that he had made arrangements "for after his death". This protection has now been granted.

In an immediate reaction, Ferris' legal team deplored the transparent attempt to influence the Tribunal and will be considering what action to take presently.

In its statement, the FIAU said it does not normally publicly divulge the reasons for the termination of employment of any of its officers about which it respects confidentiality. However, under the current circumstances, wherein the former employee himself made many public statements on the matter, the Board feels constrained to make the following public statement in rebuttal of the unfounded claims being made regarding Mr. Ferris:

"The decision to terminate the employment of Mr. Ferris – Manager Analysis Section in terms of law during the probation period was taken unanimously by the Board of Governors of the FIAU on the recommendation of the Director of the FIAU and was based solely on an objective and comprehensive performance assessment. The performance assessments established that Mr Ferris, irrespective of any other qualities which he may have, had clearly fallen short of the expectations of the organisation associated with his role of Manager of the Analysis Section. It was therefore decided that it was not in the best interest of the FIAU to retain the employee. These are not the first cases of employment terminated by the FIAU during the probation period. Given the nature of the work conducted by the FIAU, the Unit will retain in employment only those officials that during the probation period are assessed to be fully suitable for the role and duties assigned to them.

"The FIAU categorically and in the most forceful manner denies that the decision to terminate the employment of Jonathan Ferris was motivated by any political or other unfair or discriminatory motives or considerations or that it was otherwise taken to stop him from performing his duties.

"The FIAU categorically and in the most forceful manner denies that there was any political, ministerial, police or any other form of government-related instruction, direction, interference, influence or communication of any type, whether directly or indirectly, addressed to any member of the Board of Governors or the Director or any other official of the FIAU, in connection with the decision to terminate the employment of Mr Ferris.

"The unfounded allegations and irresponsible speculation being levelled at the FIAU are causing incalculable damage to the FIAU both locally and internationally and will only serve to undermine the FIAU's ability to carry out its duties and functions to fight money laundering, underlying crime and the financing of terrorism."

 

from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2zSdlVT
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