Keith Schembri was born on 26 July 1975 and is Maltese businessman and political strategist who served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat from 11 March 2013 to 26 November 2019.
19 Facts About Keith Schembri
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In 1996, Keith Schembri established Kasco Holdings, a group of companies providing various services and products within the fields of graphic art and engineering.
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Keith Schembri first set up an offshore shell company in January 2011.
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Keith Schembri managed the 2013 electoral campaign that saw the Labour Party elected with the largest margin of victory in Malta since its independence.
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Keith Schembri was appointed as the "Chief of staff", a newly created position in the organization chart of the ruling government.
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Muscat won the Maltese election in 2013 and Keith Schembri became part of his office team.
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In June 2015, Keith Schembri purchased Panama companies from the Mossack Fonseca-related firm ATC Administrators Inc, specifically Hearnville Inc and Tillgate Inc Keith Schembri asked the audit firm Nexia BT, auditors of the Kasco Group, to help him set up a New Zealand trust and associated company.
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Konrad Mizzi used Nexia for this purpose; he said Keith Schembri suggested an overseas trust and brought him to Nexia.
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Rotorua, Mizzi's trust, and Haast, the trust created for Keith Schembri, are both run by Orion Trust.
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Keith Schembri was one of the Maltese individuals mentioned in the initial Panama Papers leaks in April 2016, together with then Minister for Energy and Health Konrad Mizzi.
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In November 2024, Keith Schembri was criminally charged with leaking information to the people involved with the murder of journalist Caruana Galizia.
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Keith Schembri resigned his government post on 26 November 2019, and was arrested by the police for questioning.
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Yorgen Fenech, in his court statement, accused Keith Schembri of being the mastermind behind the Caruana Galizia murder.
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Keith Schembri is accused of trying to influence Fenech in order to frame Chris Cardona as responsible for the murder of Caruana Galizia.
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In 20 March 2021, Keith Schembri was charged with corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
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Keith Schembri was denied bail and taken to Corradino Correctional Facilities.
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Keith Schembri was released on bail after being denied twice.
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In May 2024, Keith Schembri was again charged with, among other things, bribery, criminal association, and money laundering in relation to Vitals Global Healthcare and the related Hospital contract controversy.
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In November 2024, Keith Schembri was criminally charged with leaking information to the people involved with the murder of journalist Caruana Galizia.