Presidency of the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA)
2010 – 2012
After the most important steps towards tax transparency had been taken, I was elected to head the Principality’s supervisory authority. In that capacity I focused on the development and implementation of a modern governance and management structure. Among other things, my term of office saw the implementation of the EU Directive on Market Abuse. I worked closely with the relevant U.S. authority (SEC) to combat market manipulation involving penny stocks. I also actively cultivated relationships with other financial market supervisors, first and foremost in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. I was also often invited to speak to various national and international bodies and at forums on the issue of money laundering.
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.
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.
Examining magistrate in the Bernese Oberland (Switzerland)
After studying law at the University of Bern (Switzerland) and being admitted to the bar, I joined the Bernese judiciary in 1992 as one of the canton’s newly created examining magistrates.