The Great Swiss Mask Mystery: Who’s Paying for Those Masks, Anyway?
Ah, the Swiss army’s foray into the mask business during Corona—just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any
weirder! Apparently, while the world was worrying about toilet paper shortages, Viola Amherd’s Department
of Defense (VBS) was handing out daily salaries that would make a top banker swoon. An ex-career officer,
otherwise known as the Covidiot of the Year, managed to rack up a fee that even your average Swiss cow would
roll its eyes at. I mean, ? That’s for consulting,
not even lawyering up, people!
What Happened Here?
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A consultant in the VBS received more money than top civil servants. Yes, you heard that right. We’re talking
someone who didn’t even need to wear a uniform, but lived like a king! -
And surprise, surprise! This genius surpassed the agreed fee ceiling not once, but twice. If this were a
game show, I’d have to shout “Stop the clock!” and demand to see a lifeline. -
Now, someone’s lawyer has decided to play watchdog, and filed a complaint. Maybe he just wanted to take a
break from Netflix—who doesn’t love some good legal drama?
So, between March 2020 and May 2021, this officer billed a grand total of
for his “services” during the pandemic—not including VAT, of course. I mean, who doesn’t love a little tax
evasion on top? But why stop at $412,300 when you could just grab the whole jackpot?
Who Needs Limits Anyway?
We all know the phrase “the sky’s the limit,” but for this consultant, it’s more of a suggestion. Initially,
there was a cost ceiling of . But after just six
months, that ballooned like a Swiss chocolate cake left in the sun. Don’t worry, though! They kept extending
the mandate! Why stick to the rules when you can just make up new ones, right?
What’s the Justification?
According to army spokesperson Stefan Hofer, the consultant had a “stellar track record” and was just the right
person for the job. Well, when you compare it to some of the questionable decisions made during the pandemic,
that’s like saying a bad haircut is better than a mullet. “The situation was volatile!” he exclaimed. Does
that mean we can justify excessive spending? What a brilliant line to tell your accountant next April!
The Legal Drama
Enter stage left: Lucerne corporate lawyer Loris Fabrizio Mainardi. He was not having it. After a deep dive
into the Army’s financial escapades, he decided it was time to file a complaint. If the lieutenant colonel
could have been drafted for military service, shouldn’t he have been? Or was he too busy counting his freshly
minted francs?
Conclusion: Taking the Mask Off
To recap, while the Swiss Army enlisted a certain ex-officer who apparently learned nothing from the battlefield,
civilians were feeling the sting from a financial punch. As we sift through the remnants of this curious case,
just remember: next time you complain about your taxes, think of the poor soul who paid 1,800 francs a day
for masks—because we all know that an overpriced mask is still cheaper than the disaster that was 2020.
If this gets any more bizarre, I’m convinced we’ll have a reality show starring Viola Amherd and the mask
mogul of Switzerland!
Viola Amherd’s Defense Ministry (VBS) enlisted the specialized knowledge of a former career officer during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has come to light that the initially contracted payment ceiling was surpassed on two separate occasions.
The most important thing in brief
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A consultant associated with the VBS received remuneration exceeding that of senior officials, raising eyebrows.
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New revelations indicate that he breached the agreed cost ceiling during the pandemic period.
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A formal complaint has been lodged by a lawyer against the dealings.
The situation involving a consultant’s exorbitant fees in Federal Councilor Viola Amherd’s Defense Department (VBS) has sparked considerable controversy.
The ex-career officer reportedly charged a staggering daily rate of 1,800 francs. Over the tenure from March 2020 to May 2021, amid the pandemic, he invoiced the VBS a substantial sum of 412,300 francs, excluding VAT. This alarming case, now under judicial scrutiny, was initially uncovered by the “Tages-Anzeiger.”
He out-earned senior civil servants by a considerable margin—specifically, 58 percent more than Brigitte Hauser-Süess, a trusted aide to Defense Minister Amherd.
Hauser-Süess has recently attracted attention for circumventing age limits by continuing her work until the end of 2024, now as an external consultant with a daily compensation of 1,140 francs.
Cost ceiling exceeded twice
Turning back to the former career officer: He secured an initial six-month consulting mandate with a daily fee of 1,800 francs, which was inclusive of expenses and social security contributions. The Department of Defense deemed this compensation structure typical within federal administration.
In accordance with standard practices for external contracts, a cost cap of 108,000 francs was established.
However, by August 2020, it became apparent that expenditures had spiraled: the consultant submitted a bill amounting to 172,900 francs, far surpassing the agreed-upon budget.
Despite the overspending, the contract was extended in September 2020, again setting a new ceiling of 216,000 francs, which too was ultimately breached.
Greater effort during Corona
During the pandemic, an urgent demand for protective equipment arose, particularly for hygiene masks, which the Army Pharmacy was tasked with sourcing but was ill-prepared for the crisis.
In the face of this urgent need, the Army Pharmacy sought external expertise, turning to a former career officer with relevant logistics experience acquired during his service from 2000 to 2009.
“His impressive track record rendered him well-suited for the crisis-related tasks,” army spokesman Stefan Hofer stated in an interview.
The consultant attributed the cost overruns to the intense procurement demands presented by the pandemic: “The overall situation was unstable and evolving at a fast pace.” Additionally, he received extra assignments that contributed to the rising expenses.
Lawyer files complaint
Lucerne corporate lawyer Loris Fabrizio Mainardi has scrutinized the federal government’s procurement processes during the pandemic. He found the army’s justifications for exceeding costs to be unsatisfactory under legal standards.
Mainardi argues that the lieutenant colonel could have been summoned for mandatory military service, specifically for the Covid response, yet the army denies any such authorization existed.
Consequently, he lodged a complaint against unidentified individuals with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in late August of this year.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed receipt of the complaint, stating it will undergo the standard review process. The army has opted not to comment on the matter at this time.
