Steward Health Care, a US-based healthcare company, has been accused of hiring intelligence firms to probe the personal vulnerabilities of officials involved in a $4.2 billion hospital deal in Malta. The company reportedly paid over $7 million to UK-based firms Audere International and CT Group to gather information on critics, including Malta’s former Health Minister Chris Fearne. The intelligence operations included surveillance, disinformation campaigns, and even targeting a Steward employee who was considered a potential leak.
The probe was part of Steward’s efforts to protect its interests in the hospital deal, which has been marred by allegations of corruption and fraud. The company’s tactics have raised concerns about the use of private intelligence firms to silence critics and undermine democratic processes.
