Examining magistrate in the Bernese Oberland (Switzerland)
1992 – 1993
My duties as an examining magistrate included conducting proceedings in all criminal matters and providing legal assistance. Examining magistrates also performed other functions in the judicial district, for example that of court clerk, deputy officer of debt enforcement and bankruptcy, and supervisor of apprentices. Many years later, with the introduction of the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code, examining magistrates were abolished in all cantons and their function was merged with that of public prosecutor.
Career
Attorney General of Switzerland
I was the first Attorney General of Switzerland to be elected by the Federal Parliament. At the Attorney General’s office, I introduced self-administration and strengthened the combat against white-collar crime with a focus on money laundering, corruption, organised crime and asset recovery. I also emphasised national and international cooperation.
Presidency of the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA)
The Liechtenstein Parliament elected me Chairman of the Board of Directors of the country’s Financial Market Authority in 2010. I went on to reorganise the authority’s governance and to manage regulatory implementation of EU Directives in financial market law.
Director of the Liechtenstein Bankers Association (LBA)
As Chairman of the Liechtenstein Bankers Association, I played a key role in opening the Principality as a financial centre.
Financial Intelligence Unit of Liechtenstein
On behalf of the Liechtenstein government, I set up the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Principality’s first money laundering reporting office.
Director of PolyReg and legal practice
As part of the implementation of the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act, I established PolyReg, a self-regulatory organisation (SRO), and managed it alongside my activities as an independent lawyer.
Swiss Federal Office of Police fedpol
I set up the Central Office for Organised Crime at what is today the Swiss Federal Office of Police fedpol in 1995. In this role, I was responsible for planning and setting up the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS).
Police force of the Canton of Bern (Switzerland), Criminal Investigation unit
In 1993, I took over as Head of the Special Investigations 1 section at the newly restructured Bernese cantonal police department.