Under-fire Swiss Post CEO secures directors’ backing
Ruoff heads up Swiss Post, the parent company of PostBus.
Keystone
Swiss Post’s Board of Directors has affirmed its support and confidence in chief executive Susanne Ruoff as the fall-out from a wide-reaching subsidies scandal continues.
At a press conference in Bern on Thursday afternoon, the Board’s president Urs Schwaller admitted that the decade-long manipulation of the accounts of PostBus – which allowed it to claim CHF80 million ($85 million) in excessive subsidies – amounted to an “unprecedent incident” of “unparalleled scale.”
However, he and the board maintained their faith in CEO Susanne Ruoff, who will stay in the role she has occupied since 2012. A working group of independent experts has been established, under Schwaller’s direction, and will between now and May try to establish where responsibility lies in the affair.
Ruoff and Swiss Post has come under intense scrutiny since a Transport Office audit last year discovered that PostBus – known for its alpine network of yellow commuter buses – had manipulated accounts between 2007 and 2015 to pocket millions in federal and cantonal subsidies.
The PostBus CEO and chief financial officer were both dismissed in the wake of the discovery, which Ruoff denies having knowledge of until late 2017 when the audit was carried out.
“I neither lied nor did anything wrong,” she declared on Sunday in the SonntagsBlick newspaper, reacting to claims that she had been aware of the reported accounting methods since 2013.
The exact motives behind the systematic accounting tricks remain unclear. Several politicians have expressed outrage and demanded a thorough investigation, and on Wednesday an official legal complaint was filed to the Attorney General’s office by the Federal Office of Transport.
Ruoff and Swiss Post have promised that the extra funds will be paid back in full to federal and cantonal authorities.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Heard the one about the Swiss company installing laugh detectors?
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
This content was published on
The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
This content was published on
PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
This content was published on
The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
This content was published on
The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Swiss museums to mark centenary of death of painter Félix Vallotton
This content was published on
Swiss museums will celebrate the centenary of the death of the artist Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) next year. A major retrospective is planned in Lausanne, his birthplace, in autumn.
Russian mission installs more ‘spy’ antennas in Geneva, Swiss TV report claims
This content was published on
Russian spies are strengthening their presence in Geneva, according to a report by Swiss public television, RTS. Russian officials have placed new satellite dishes on their diplomatic buildings without authorisation.
This content was published on
Switzerland should join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.
This content was published on
A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the UN building.
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
Swiss Post CEO rejects blame for PostBus subsidies scandal
This content was published on
The head of Swiss Post, Susanne Ruoff, has refused to step down for errors she admits were made at the PostBus subsidiary company.
Swiss PostBus company claimed millions in illegal subsidies
This content was published on
The Swiss PostBus company has claimed almost CHF80 million in excessive subsidies over the past decade by manipulating accounts.
This content was published on
The Federal Office of Transport has filed a legal complaint in connection with the scandal hitting the Swiss PostBus company.
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.