Offshore Leaks Record

Malta ยท Panama Papers

Keith Schembri: offshore leaks and what happened next

Charged As of April 2026, Schembri was awaiting trial in the 17 Black and Electrogas case, which arose from payments the Panama Papers indicated were planned to his Panama company, and had pleaded not guilty. He also faces the separate Vitals hospitals case, which is not a Panama Papers matter. No conviction had been reported.2,5,6

Being named in a leak is not evidence of wrongdoing, and owning an offshore company can be legal. Each record sets out what was reported, the person's response, and what official action, if any, followed.

What was reported

MaltaToday, a partner in the Panama Papers reporting, reported that in June 2015 Schembri and Konrad Mizzi acquired the Panama companies Tillgate Inc and Hearnville Inc, whose ownership was moved to New Zealand trusts, Schembri's being named Haast.1

Response

No response from Schembri specific to the Panama Papers findings was found in the sources reviewed.

What happened afterwards

  1. Charged, Maltese prosecution following a magisterial inquiry (Vitals hospitals concession)AFP reported that Schembri was charged with money laundering, soliciting bribes and abuse of office over the 2015 hospitals concession to Vitals Global Healthcare. This case is not a Panama Papers matter and is recorded only for completeness. AFP reported no response from Schembri.2
  2. Inquiry concluded, Magistrate Charmaine Galea (magisterial inquiry)A magisterial inquiry into payments linked to the Dubai company 17 Black concluded and recommended charges against Schembri, Konrad Mizzi and others, MaltaToday reported. This case is linked to the Panama Papers, because the leak indicated that their Panama companies were to receive 150,000 euros a month from 17 Black.3
  3. Charged, Court of Magistrates, Malta (Magistrate Rachel Montebello)Schembri was charged with offences linked to the Electrogas power station project, following the 17 Black inquiry, and pleaded not guilty, MaltaToday and The Malta Independent reported.4,7
  4. Court ruled, Court of Magistrates, Malta (Magistrate Rachel Montebello)In the 17 Black and Electrogas case the magistrate found enough prima facie evidence for the accused to stand trial, MaltaToday reported. This is a committal decision, not a finding of guilt.5

Sources

  1. MaltaToday, Panama Papers: Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri wanted to open Dubai bank account (2016)
  2. Channels TV (AFP), Malta ex-PM, top officials charged in sweeping corruption probe (AFP) (May 2024)
  3. MaltaToday, Magistrate concludes 17 Black inquiry: Keith Schembri, Konrad Mizzi to be charged (January 2025)
  4. MaltaToday, Electrogas: Court to rule whether Schembri, Mizzi and Fenech will stand trial (February 2025)
  5. MaltaToday, 17 Black: Enough evidence for accused to face money laundering trial (February 2025)
  6. The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, 10 years after the Panama Papers, we need convictions for high level corruption (3 April 2026)
  7. The Malta Independent, 17 Black: Keith Schembri, Konrad Mizzi, Yorgen Fenech and Nexia partners plead not guilty (5 February 2025)