Education Ministry Keeps MCAST Payroll Inquiry Report Confidential

An independent inquiry into payroll management at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is being kept confidential by the Education Ministry. The ministry announced last month that…

An independent inquiry into payroll management at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is being kept confidential by the Education Ministry.

The ministry announced last month that disciplinary action will be taken against MCAST staff following the inquiry’s findings, which stem from a €2.3 million payroll fraud allegedly carried out by former MCAST manager Francine Farrugia.

A request by Times of Malta for a full copy of the inquiry report was denied. In contrast, similar government investigations—such as those into the theft of 132kg of cannabis resin from a secure army facility and cases of disability claim fraud—have previously been made public.

An Education Ministry spokesperson said that all “pertinent details,” along with a “covering note,” were already included in an official press release summarising the report. The summary highlighted that MCAST’s payroll systems were found to be substandard, though the full findings were not published.

The Times of Malta has reported that the Auditor General had warned MCAST about inadequate payroll controls in 2019—six years before the alleged embezzlement by Farrugia. The ministry noted that certain unnamed MCAST officials failed to provide an accurate account of the college’s efforts to address these concerns.

According to the ministry, the inquiry emphasised that several aspects of the college’s financial and payroll systems require significant improvement. Systems, structures, roles, and procedures must be reviewed and, where necessary, revised. As a result, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against individuals who failed in their duties, and the ministry confirmed it would ensure the report’s recommendations are implemented.

Farrugia, who worked in MCAST’s accounting section and had access to salaries, was charged in August with using millions of euros from the college to purchase a property, cars, and to spend €113,000 at luxury department store Harrods. Investigators allege she issued duplicate salary payments between September 2023 and May 2025, either for herself or creating fake payroll entries for other employees. Bank records show she transferred €422,420 to her bank accounts and €1.9 million to her Revolut account.

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