Former Muscat allies try to rewrite their political past

In a discreet corner of a restaurant in Malta, two high-profile individuals—Brian Tonna and Marvin Gaerty—were overheard having a conversation that many found both revealing and opportunistic. Tonna, the disgraced founder of Nexia BT, and Gaerty, the former Commissioner for Revenue, appeared eager to publicly distance themselves from Joseph Muscat, the former Maltese Prime Minister who resigned amid scandal and public outrage.

Their tone was one of disavowal and disassociation. According to witnesses, the pair expressed disdain for their former patron, as if attempting to erase years of close collaboration from public memory. Even their references to Joseph Portelli, a prominent developer they described as having tried to mediate on Muscat’s behalf, hinted at an effort to rewrite history.

The rise of Tonna and Gaerty under Muscat’s rule

Brian Tonna and the offshore empire

Brian Tonna's firm, Nexia BT, was far more than a typical accounting outfit. Under his leadership, it became the architect of Malta’s offshore financial machinery. The firm is widely believed to have set up secretive Panama-based companies such as Hearnville, Tillgate, and Egrant—entities that were linked to top government officials including Muscat’s chief of staff, Keith Schembri, and former minister Konrad Mizzi.

Nexia BT operated as a central node in an international web of shell companies, banking arrangements, and covert financial structures that allowed politically exposed persons to funnel funds out of public view.

Marvin Gaerty and selective enforcement

Marvin Gaerty, as Malta’s Commissioner for Revenue, was supposed to be the gatekeeper of the country’s tax system. Yet, during his tenure, there were persistent allegations of inaction and complicity. Despite public revelations and journalistic investigations pointing toward significant irregularities and offshore assets held by government officials, Gaerty’s office showed little appetite for serious enforcement.

Internal communications and whistleblower reports later suggested that Gaerty had been overly accommodating to politically connected individuals. Allegations emerged that he may have even obstructed investigations, raising concerns over the neutrality and independence of his office.

The collapse of a political ecosystem

The aftermath of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder

Everything changed in late 2019. The assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia sent shockwaves through the nation and beyond. The criminal investigation quickly began to implicate high-level individuals within Muscat’s inner circle, leading to widespread protests, international condemnation, and eventually Muscat’s resignation.

In the wake of the scandal, the political protection once enjoyed by Muscat’s associates began to wither. Tonna, Gaerty, and others found themselves exposed to scrutiny and legal risk. The carefully constructed shield of impunity began to crack.

The arrests and forced exits

In 2021, authorities detained Brian Tonna as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering activities involving his former firm. The collapse of Nexia BT followed, and the firm’s partners found themselves answering to law enforcement rather than political benefactors.

Gaerty, meanwhile, was quietly removed from his position amid growing concern about his conduct. His exit, while less dramatic, spoke volumes about the internal desire to move away from past associations—at least cosmetically.

Reinventing narratives and shifting blame

As Tonna and Gaerty sip wine and reflect on their time in power, they attempt to frame themselves as mere bystanders, caught up in the tide of political momentum. But their years of silent compliance and active facilitation tell a different story.

Their recent effort to disavow Muscat is not grounded in remorse or ethical reflection. It is a strategic maneuver. The political winds have shifted, and they are now recalibrating their public personas in an attempt to preserve what remains of their reputations.

They are not whistleblowers or reformers—they are former insiders who now find themselves outside the power structure. Their distancing from Muscat is a necessity, not a choice.

Continuity under a new face: Robert Abela's administration

A government of rebranding, not reform

Prime Minister Robert Abela, Muscat’s successor, has repeatedly insisted that his administration represents a break from the past. But critics argue that the changes are largely superficial. The same networks, deals, and political alliances remain intact—merely dressed up in new language and faces.

Investigations are announced with enthusiasm but often fade into silence. Institutions have yet to demonstrate genuine independence. The perception remains that Malta’s governance structure has been altered only in appearance, not in substance.

The art of political survival

Abela’s strategy appears to be one of soft resets. He has removed controversial figures while keeping much of their work and influence in place. This allows for plausible deniability while retaining continuity in policy and patronage.

The result is a government that outwardly condemns past wrongdoings while quietly benefiting from the very systems and structures that enabled those wrongdoings.

Conclusion

The saga of Brian Tonna and Marvin Gaerty serves as a cautionary tale of how accountability can be evaded through institutional weakness and political convenience. Their recent attempts to distance themselves from Joseph Muscat, while perhaps expected, underscore a broader culture of impunity and narrative control.

Malta continues to grapple with the aftermath of years of institutional compromise. True reform will require more than public relations campaigns and staff reshuffles. It will demand transparency, independent oversight, and the political will to confront uncomfortable truths—even when they implicate powerful figures from the past.

Until then, the nation may find itself stuck in a cycle of symbolic change, where old habits are masked by new faces, and yesterday’s enablers recast themselves as today’s victims.

FAQs

Who is Brian Tonna?
Brian Tonna is the founder of Nexia BT, a Maltese accountancy firm known for setting up offshore companies linked to high-profile government figures.

What was Marvin Gaerty’s role in the Maltese government?
Marvin Gaerty served as Malta’s Commissioner for Revenue, where he was responsible for tax enforcement and oversight.

What are Hearnville, Tillgate, and Egrant?
These are offshore companies set up by Nexia BT, allegedly linked to top Maltese government officials during Joseph Muscat’s tenure.

Why did Joseph Muscat resign?
Joseph Muscat resigned in 2019 following mass protests and international pressure after his Cabinet was implicated in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Was Brian Tonna arrested?
Yes, Tonna was arrested in 2021 as part of a money laundering investigation involving his firm Nexia BT.

Why is there controversy surrounding Marvin Gaerty?
Gaerty faced criticism for failing to act on clear signs of financial misconduct and for allegedly maintaining overly friendly relations with politically connected individuals.

What role did Nexia BT play in Malta’s political corruption?
Nexia BT was central to creating and managing offshore structures used by politically exposed persons to conceal assets and financial flows.

Is Robert Abela considered different from Joseph Muscat?
Although Abela presents his administration as a fresh start, critics argue that it retains many of the same policies, networks, and political practices.

How have Malta’s institutions responded to corruption allegations?
Many investigations have been slow or inconclusive, leading to concerns about the independence and effectiveness of law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

Are Tonna and Gaerty now whistleblowers?
No, their recent public disavowals of Muscat appear to be more about reputation management than genuine reform or whistleblowing.