Prosecutor opens criminal procedure over Geneva expenses scandal
The Office of the Attorney General of Geneva has opened an investigation into an expenses scandal concerning the Geneva city council for alleged “dishonest management of public interests”.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone SDA/sb
In a statement on WednesdayExternal link, the office said that searches had also been carried out at the offices of various councillors embroiled in the controversy and related departments.
Last week, a highly critical audit reportExternal link denounced members of the Geneva city council for claiming exorbitant amounts for expenses, such as champagne, taxis and telephone bills. The report criticised “excesses” in the professional expense claims of some councillors, uncooperative behaviour and opacity in the overall expenses system.
Among the five council officials, environment councillor Guillaume Barazzone claimed CHF42,000 ($42,000) in expenses in 2017, including over CHF17,000 in mobile phone expenses. He admitted “involuntary mistakes”, such as mixing up private and public credit cards, and said he had reimbursed thousands of francs claimed since 2012.
The attorney general’s office said on Thursday that given that certain “unjustified expenses” outlined in the audit report were “likely to fall under criminal law, the Office of the Attorney General of Geneva has opened a criminal procedure”.
The prosecutor’s case does not target any one individual; five councillors were mentioned in the audit report.
Following the revelations, the municipal council gave a press conference where it stressed that most of the audit report’s recommendations had been taken on board. It added that new, stricter rules had been introduced for claiming expenses.
However, Geneva Mayor Sami Kanaan said the council refused to submit to a “complete striptease” in which each councillor reveals their professional expenses and allowances every year to show transparency.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
This content was published on
Swiss public broadcasters RTS and SRF are drastically reducing their communications via the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Israel: president of Swiss universities rejects academic boycott
This content was published on
Luciana Vaccaro, president of Swissuniversities, the umbrella group of Swiss universities, is not in favour of an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Geneva expenses scandal sparks calls for more transparency
This content was published on
Members of the Geneva city council are under fire for claiming exorbitant amounts for expenses, such as champagne, taxis and telephone bills.
This content was published on
Under pressure Geneva politician Pierre Maudet will also temporarily step down as head of Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors.
Maudet steps aside from Geneva presidency amid scandal
This content was published on
Embroiled in controversy, Geneva President Pierre Maudet temporarily stepped down from his role as head of the cantonal government, the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA reported on Thursday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.