Luxury apartment renovation, five-figure commissions for real estate agents: Swiss animal welfare scandals are spreading

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The Swiss animal protection organization (STS) is sliding from one scandal to another. The focus of the wild dispute raging within the animal rights organization is President Nicole Ruch. Until now, the “Aargauer Zeitung” reports that other members of the organization have also gotten their hands dirty. This also applies to Pascal Reinhard, former board member and member of the financial committee.

More than 42,000 francs in expenses

Reinhard is also said to have generously helped the non-profit organization at the box office. In September 2021, he sold an association property in Scherzingen, Thurgau for 2.6 million francs. Curious: There was no advertisement or bidding process. He then demanded 13,000 francs “broker’s commission” from the association for the sale, according to the AZ. This was billed through the monthly expense account.

This did not only apply to Scherzingen, as AZ writes. Over the past two years, Reinhard, who manages the STS properties, is said to have repeated this pattern. In addition, the agent collects monthly fees of up to 14,500 francs from the Swiss Animal Society – for construction management, contacts with authorities, initial rental, agency fees and rides in a private car, all expenses. In 2021 and 2022, the Zurich resident earned more than 42,000 francs in expenses.

Reinhard receives more expenses than money

Spicy: Reinhard has even received more expenses in recent years than STS president Ruch, who was generously compensated. She received an unusually high reward for her volunteer work – and thus probably violated her own rules. According to a report by SonntagsBlick, Nicole Ruch has repeatedly received a fixed amount of 4,000 francs in compensation per month. The woman from Biel charged up to 90 hours each, which equates to a 50 percent workload.

Today, thanks to an independent report by accountants, it is clear: the affairs of the STS have been handled in a very unprofessional manner for years – probably to the detriment of animal welfare, and that is why the Basel Public Prosecutor’s Office is currently conducting a criminal police check. investigation into economic crimes. (chs)

Source:Blick