Federal criminal court upholds suspended sentences in CO2 corruption scandal
The appeals chamber of the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona has sentenced a former Astra employee and two car dealers to suspended prison sentences for fraud involving millions in CO2 levy evasion.
Federal criminal court upholds suspended sentences in CO2 corruption scandal
In Bellinzona, the appellate body of the Federal Criminal Court has delivered a ruling in an extensive fraud case. A 49-year-old former employee of the Federal Roads Office and a father-and-son pair from the automotive industry were sentenced for serious CO2 levy fraud. All three received suspended sentences.
Against the ex-official, the judges imposed 20 months on probation. The first instance had previously handed down one month more. The man faced trial for active bribery, commercial tax fraud, and multiple counts of document falsification. Over a period of almost three years – between October 2014 and September 2017 – he enabled the two dealers to evade levies under CO2 legislation in the amount of an estimated 9 million francs. In return, 2,000 francs flowed to his account each month, plus a used car worth more than 15,000 francs.
The vehicle and the total 71,300 francs in bribes must now be handed over to the state treasury. Furthermore, he is jointly liable with the two other defendants for the approximately 9 million francs in outstanding penalties, plus interest on arrears. In some circumstances, he may also have to reimburse the federal treasury 41,000 francs for legal representation costs, should his financial situation allow it later.
The two car dealers were sentenced to 24 and 23 months respectively on probation. The sentence for the younger of the two was increased by one month compared to the original judgment. Both were found guilty of bribery and other related offences. In addition, each of the three convicted persons must pay court and administrative costs of approximately 46,000 francs.
Source: Nau.ch
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)