Alleged fraud by late notary Barbara sparks investigation

Sep 27 2021

Following the passing of notary Ivan Barbara, who died last April after contracting the COVID-19 virus, police have launched a money-laundering probe into his operations. With clients claiming they had been defrauded by the notary and left high and dry following his passing, many of them are claiming that they have been left in a state of ‘anxious limbo’ as they try to recover their deposits. They are also claiming that he committed acts of fraud and misappropriation.

Barbara passed away after he was airlifted back to Malta from India, just days after he managed to secure the adoption of his child. His widow Rosanne has allegedly, according to Notarial Council, renounced her late husband’s inheritance and thus forfeiting any assets or responsibility for pending debt. With an unclear legal heir, sources told Times of Malta that the police probe is not only looking at any wrongdoing done by the late notary but also any potential wrongdoing by his wife and employee.

Police could not confirm or deny if the investigation is in fact underway, with questions sent to Ms Barbara remaining unanswered as of time of writing. Police are also allegedly investigating the role played by banks and the possible lack of due diligence on their part.

The Notary Council allegedly asked the attorney general to hand over any deeds and wills published by Barbara to the government’s chief notary to fast track the process of checking for potential breach of contract last month. Keith Francis German, the government’s chief notary, was appointed as notary delegate of all deeds relating to Barbara with effect as of August 16th.

The magistrate court has yet to issue a decree on a request by several of the notary’s clients for a magisterial inquiry into the notary’s actions and those of his wife. Three clients made the request, stating that they had handed Barbara cheques amounting to €30,650 in relation to promise of sale agreements they had signed.

Through lawyer David Bonello, clients are insisting that the money they deposited with notary Barbara should have been deposited in client bank accounts and eventually passed on to seller when the final contracts of sale were signed.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Victims of Notary Ivan Barbara FB

You can now play as Minister Ian Borg tearing down trees in new local app

Sep 27 2021

A game in which one plays as Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg clearing platforms of trees and ‘damaging media reporters’ has taken Malta by storm. Available for Android, the local app was released by ‘Gahan Studios’ and allows one to play as the local minister as he goes about bulldozing trees and ‘eliminating’ pesky reporters.

The game received a total of 17 reviews, all ranking at a whopping full 5 star score, with over 100 downloads. Some called it the best game of 2021 and others echoed the famous ‘Prosit Ministru (Well done Minister)’ catchphrase which often dominates Facebook posts by government entities.

The Minister himself did not as of yet comment on the game, seeing as it does openly criticise his infrastructural and environmental decisions. However, such satirical content does indicate a level of openness towards criticism of authority and, whether or not the game sits well with the Minister himself, it seems to have became immensely addictive for the Maltese population.

#MaltaDaily

Red Arrows showcase results in frustrating unmoving traffic

Sep 27 2021

Following the Red Arrows dominating the skies over Malta yesterday in a brilliant showcase, it seems as though the land situation took a very frustrating turn. As people made their way to and back from the Malta International Airshow after it’s three year absence, the streets were jam-packed with heavy, almost unmoving, traffic.

This negatively impacted the traditionally beloved show for many, with parking too being an alleged nightmare. Many posted to social media, commenting about either being stuck in traffic or taking forever to get back home.

Some made quite light of the situation, sarcastically commenting how the Red Arrows made their way back to England before they themselves made it out of Bugibba. Others criticised how Malta cannot organise such mass scale events without enduring such issues.

#MaltaDaily

Teletubbies called ‘little gay demons’ by US politician after Lil Nas X tweet

Sep 26 2021

A United States politician has called family-favourite television characters the Teletubbies ‘little gay demons’ after the show’s official Twitter page posted a request to be on Lil Nas X’s next album and it’s as weird as it sounds.

Tinky Winky, Dipspy, Laa-Laa and Po went viral once again on social media after an interesting back and forth between them and controversial rapper Lil Nas X, to which the rapper welcomed the television icons into the studio with open arms after releasing his album ‘MONTERO’ which shook the world with its eye-catching visuals and catchy hooks.

alright bet! me and tinky winky on the hook, dipsy & po on the verses and we’ll let laa laa do the outro https://t.co/Luqx2t25Jx

— MONTERO 🦋 (@LilNasX) September 17, 2021

However the clever online conversation was met with a homophobic statement from former TruNews host Lauren Witzke, a former Republican Nominee for US senate, who shared a post on Instagram captioned ‘I always knew that the Teletubbies were little gay demons’. Witzke’s homophobic comment shocked what seemed like the entire internet, who flooded the comments to condemn her actions.

What do you make of this?

#MaltaDaily