Ex-EU commissioner pleads innocent in Malta to bribery
ABC News
A former European Union health commissioner has pleaded innocent in a Maltese courtroom to charges of bribery and influence trading bribery charges
VALLETTA, Malta -- A former European Union health commissioner pleaded innocent in a Maltese courtroom on Wednesday to charges of bribery and influence trading bribery charges.
John Dalli, who is Maltese, served in the commission post from 2010 to 2012. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence on both accusations.
The case in Malta grew out of a probe of an alleged attempt by one of Dalli's political canvassers to solicit a 60-million euro bribe to help overturn an EU-wide ban on a form of smokeless tobacco when Dalli was serving as commissioner. The canvasser allegedly mentioned Dalli's name during the alleged solicitation.
The canvasser separately had been charged with influence trading in 2012. That case is still pending.
