Indictment Former financial administrator alleged to have embezzled 916,000 francs

The former financial administrator of Oberdorf SO is alleged to have withdrawn money from the municipal coffers for private use in over 150 cases. The Solothurn public prosecutor's office has charged him with embezzlement and forgery of documents, as announced on Friday.

The total amount involved is around CHF 916,000, the public prosecutor's office added. The now 71-year-old Swiss national embezzled the money for private purposes between 2010 and 2016. The accused has confessed and the charges are being brought in summary proceedings. Assets of almost 450,000 francs have already been seized.

As financial administrator, the accused had access to all of the municipality's bank accounts. In order to cover up the cash withdrawals in the municipal accounts, he had forged numerous documents. He was therefore charged not only with multiple counts of qualified embezzlement, but also with multiple counts of forgery.

Long-time employee

The case became public knowledge in July 2023, when the municipality with around 1900 inhabitants announced that an external audit had revealed irregularities and a criminal complaint had been filed. In July 2024, the municipality then announced that the long-standing municipal and financial administrator was responsible. He had embezzled money from the municipality until shortly before his retirement.

The date of the main hearing before the Solothurn-Lebern court has not yet been set, according to the public prosecutor's office.