The Federal Office of Police says an investigation has been started against ex-PostBus boss Daniel Landolf and his former head of finances following a scandal over illegal subsidies.
“These are the first steps,” the Federal Office of Police added in information on its websiteExternal link that was updated on Sunday. The men are suspected of fraud pertaining to benefits, as set out under article 14 of Swiss criminal administrative law.
“Widening the investigation to other people has not been ruled out,” the statement said of the probe, which was officially launched at the end of 2018.
The team of investigators will be going through documents and emails, as well as interviewing people. Searches might also take place, said the information.
The two men risk a prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to CHF30,000 ($30,000) if found guilty, the newspapers said.
Scandal
State-owned PostBus,External link known for its alpine network of distinctive yellow buses, came under intense scrutiny after an audit found it had manipulated accounts between 2007 and 2015 to pocket millions in federal and cantonal subsidies. This also involved subsidiaries abroad.
The Federal Office of Police expects the investigation to last several months. If there is an indictment, the accused will go before the Swiss Federal Court, it indicated.
Administrative proceedings were first opened, with no names, against Swiss Post, the mother company, in February 2018, following a request by the then Transport Minister Doris Leuthard.
In September PostBus agreed to hand back CHF205.3 million ($214 million) to the government, cantons and communes.
More
More
PostBus to reimburse more than CHF200 million
This content was published on
The state-owned PostBus company is to hand back CHF205.3 million ($214 million) following a scandal over illegal subsidies.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
This content was published on
Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
This content was published on
Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
This content was published on
2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
Swiss CFOs much more optimistic despite global uncertainty
This content was published on
The main concerns of business leaders in Switzerland are geopolitical uncertainty and the important trading partners Germany and China.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
This content was published on
More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
This content was published on
Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
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
Scandals damaged Swiss business reputation in 2018
This content was published on
Switzerland’s business reputation took a serious hit last year following various scandals, from corporate bank fraud to illegal subsidies.
Swiss Post Office appoints CEO to steer clear of controversy
This content was published on
Roberto Cirillo will take over at the helm next April, replacing interim boss Ulrich Hurni, the Swiss Post announced on Thursday. Hurni has been minding the fort since Susanne Ruoff was forced to quit as CEO in June. Ruoff’s decision was sparked by a Transport Office audit that uncovered years of financial malpractice at the…
This content was published on
The state-owned PostBus company is threatened with losing bus routes in several regions, following a scandal over illegal subsidies.
Federal police launch proceedings into PostBus subsidies scandal
This content was published on
The Federal Office of Police is undertaking administrative proceedings against the Swiss Post to examine irregularities by its subsidiary PostBus.
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.