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Senior politician to face charge

Hess has faced widespread criticism over the alleged conflict of his political and business interests Keystone Archive

The controversial speaker of the House of Representatives, Peter Hess, who has been accused by opponents of failing to distinguish clearly enough between his political and business interests, is to face a charge on one count under the money laundering law.

Hess is being charged with failing to provide a trade register statement of one of the companies where he was a board member. He faces a fine of up to SFr100,000 or a reprimand.

The self-regulatory organisation of canton Zug, where his firms were registered, said there was no suspicion of money laundering in the 13 offshore companies whose records it examined.

A member of the organisation told German-language Swiss radio on Tuesday the missing document was not a minor issue. Specialists will now determine the gravity of the offence.

Hess gave up his 48 directorships – including three in Panama and the Virgin Islands – last week, amid a political storm over his business dealings.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Tuesday’s announcement was the first indication of an irregularity in his business affairs.

Revelations of his directorships, particularly in the Caribbean, initially led to calls for his resignation earlier this month. He refused to step down. But politicians criticised him from bringing the position of House of Representatives speaker into disrepute, saying the post was incompatible with his business interests.

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