Loan racket case: Witnesses describe car seizures, threats and eviction claims in court
Witnesses in a high-profile loan racket case told a court how they handed over cars, faced threats, and, in one instance, were allegedly forced out of a home as proceedings against members of the Pace family continued.
The compilation of evidence is taking place before Magistrate Lara Lanfranco against Keith Pace, 45, his partner Maria Grixti, 49, and brothers Carlos and Cleaven Pace, aged 24 and 20, who face charges related to alleged usury and money laundering.
One witness described borrowing €1,000 from Keith Pace under an agreement to repay €50 per week. She later took out another €1,000 loan, bringing the total to €2,000. As part of the arrangement, she handed over her 1999 Toyota Vitz, valued at around €3,250, signing the logbook and giving Pace the keys immediately.
She confirmed that if she failed to keep up with payments, the car would be retained. After she missed repayments, Pace sold the vehicle and kept the proceeds. The witness spoke of persistent phone calls demanding payment and escalating disputes involving lawyers.
She also testified that after borrowing additional funds and failing to repay, number plates from another car she owned were taken. These were later returned by Carlos Pace after she resumed payments. She added that she began receiving police calls related to the use of that vehicle. The witness repeatedly struggled to give direct answers and was briefly removed from the courtroom after disrupting proceedings, before later confirming she settled all dues in 2024.
A second witness described a similar arrangement, saying he borrowed €1,500 but was expected to repay €3,000. He agreed to hand over his Nissan Juke if he defaulted. Unemployed at the time, he delayed repayments but later paid in instalments of €500 to €600, sometimes missing payments.
He recounted frequent arguments, with Pace allegedly threatening to take the car. The witness later received contraventions and notice of 15 penalty points linked to the vehicle, which prompted him to report the matter to police in January 2025, by which time he said he had repaid the loan.
He attempted to recover the car using a tow truck but was confronted by Maria Grixti, who insisted the vehicle belonged to them and claimed €300 was still owed. The situation escalated, with the witness alleging that Carlos Pace threatened him. He admitted there was no written agreement, and said the car key remains in Pace’s possession.
A third witness described alleged harassment connected to a Sliema apartment. She said chains were placed on her door, eviction notices were affixed, and attempts were made to force entry. After installing cameras, she captured footage and began receiving threatening calls from Maria Grixti ordering her to leave.
The witness insisted Grixti was not the property owner and said she reported the matter to police but later withdrew the complaint out of fear.
Prosecutors opposed bail requests for Carlos and Cleaven Pace, citing risks of witness interference. The court will decide on the requests in camera. The case continues on 23 April.
The prosecution is being led by Inspector Lianne Bonello together with Attorney General lawyers Neville Galea and Michael Muscat.
Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adreana Zammit appeared for the Pace brothers and their father, while lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri represented the older accused.
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