Zurich court sentences ex-municipal president for theft
Published: Wednesday, Mar 13th 2024, 21:20
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The District Court of Zurich sentenced the former mayor of Hettlingen near Winterthur on Wednesday for multiple thefts, among other things. It handed down a sentence of 3.5 years.
According to the verdict, the accused stole money and gold worth over one million francs from a client's apartment in Zurich on two occasions. The 68-year-old committed the crimes in his capacity as a trustee.
As the judge explained, the accused was on site on the days when the assets disappeared. Despite her advanced age, the injured party could be believed. There was no evidence of mental impairment at the time of the crime.
No recognizable friendship
During a house search, some of the money and coins were found at the trustee's home. "I didn't steal anything," the accused claimed in court. He said in vain that the wealthy lady had given him a gift out of gratitude.
He had only worked for her professionally, there was no friendship, the judge stated. Why she should have been so grateful to him that she gave him so much is not clear. There were too many inconsistencies: "The gift is incomprehensible".
The court assumed that the accused stole gold on one occasion and 800,000 francs in cash on another. The theft of a further 200,000 francs could not be proven.
According to the ruling, the accused must pay the money back to the heiresses. An appeal against the judgment can be lodged with the High Court.
Money hidden in the wine cellar
In court this morning, the accused said that he had never experienced anything like this before and felt prejudiced. He also spoke of psychological problems.
The senior citizen, who has since exited her life, gave him a gift of 200,000 francs and around five to six kilograms of gold coins. This was after he had allegedly found stolen gold Vreneli rolls in her home. She was very grateful, also for the work he had done for her. She had also promised him 25 kilograms of gold.
He hid the assets in the wine cellar and in the shoe cupboard and didn't even tell his wife. He just didn't want to spread the word. He kept private and business matters separate. The former mayor denied that he had stolen 800,000 francs from his client on another occasion.
One million in aluminum foil as an "iron reserve"
A neighbor had explained in court that the senior citizen had hoarded around one million francs, the "iron reserve", wrapped in aluminum foil at home. She had been afraid of a war. The trustee estimated his client's assets at 20 to 25 million francs. She also owned four apartments.
The former FDP municipal president was also charged with fraud in connection with a Covid loan. He had overstated the turnover of a company of which he was a board member. The company has since gone bankrupt. In this context, the 68-year-old also committed mismanagement and forgery. He was fined 120 times 250 francs for the mismanagement.
The prosecution had demanded a prison sentence of 4.5 years. The senior citizen's statements and the assets found would speak against the accused.
The 68-year-old's defense lawyer, however, pleaded for acquittal. The senior citizen had been very suspicious and had repeatedly accused people of stealing her money. At best, the court should impose a fine for an offense in connection with the Covid loan.
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