Jason Farrugia, former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), has appeared in court charged with money laundering, alongside a number of other offences.

Farrugia was arraigned on a number of charges in connection with wrongdoings that allegedly took place during his time at the MGA.

Besides money laundering, these include accepting bribes, computer misuse, disclosing confidential information, extortion, fraud in excess of €5,000 ($5,355) and trading in influence. According to the Times of Malta, he plead not guilty, and bail was denied.

In response to media reports, the MGA published a statement detailing its relationship with Farrugia and his termination in December of last year.

“The MGA would like to clarify that the employment relationship with Mr Farrugia was terminated in December 2021 following an internal investigation initiated by the MGA into alleged wrongdoings by the same individual,” asserted the Maltese regulator.

“The results of these investigations were passed on to the relevant authorities and the MGA has been, and remains, at their disposal and providing all required assistance.

“In the meantime, the MGA continues to take all the necessary steps to ensure the integrity of its data.”

Prior to his untimely departure last year, Farrugia had been employed by the MGA for a decade. When the organisation announced his termination on 16 December, it stated: “Jason Farrugia […] no longer has any connection to the MGA and can no longer represent it or speak on its behalf.”

The regulator’s former CEO, Heathcliff Farrugia, no relation, was last year charged with trading in influence in connection with Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech.