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.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
This content was published on
A Geneva-registered tourist plane grazed some ski mountaineers on Saturday on a glacier on the Swiss side of the Monte Rosa massif.
Sharp rise in reports of suspicious sports betting in Switzerland
This content was published on
Last year the Intercantonal Gambling Supervisory Authority received 184 reports of suspicious activities in connection with 166 sports competitions.
Swiss fencers apologise for diplomatic scandal with Israel
This content was published on
Two days after causing a diplomatic scandal at the U23 European Championships in Tallinn, the Swiss fencers responsible have published a jointly signed apology on Instagram.
Air in climbing gyms more polluted than on streets
This content was published on
The concentration of potentially harmful chemicals in climbing gyms is sometimes higher than on busy roads, say researchers from Switzerland and Austria.
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved slightly higher sales at the start of the year. However, profits fell sharply, partly due to the late Easter.
Switzerland’s first padel court on water built in Arosa
This content was published on
Switzerland's first padel tennis court on water will open on the Obersee in Arosa, canton Graubünden, for the 2025 summer season.
This content was published on
Wine consumption in Switzerland fell by almost 8% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Swiss wines are particularly affected by the decline.
Jackie Chan to be honoured for life’s work at Locarno Film Festival
This content was published on
Martial artist Jackie Chan will receive an Honorary Leopard, a lifetime achievement award, from the Locarno Film Festival in southern Switzerland in August.
Novartis raises forecast again after strong Q1 results
This content was published on
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has continued the strong pace of growth of recent quarters in the first three months of 2025.
Swiss canton holds first general meeting on winegrowing
This content was published on
More than 250 professionals attended the first general meeting of the Valais wine industry on Monday in Conthey, western Switzerland.
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.