Switzerland: HSBC whistleblower jailed for five years

[rooster59]

Switzerland: HSBC whistleblower jailed for five years



A former HSBC bank employee, who leaked information on clients and their tax situation, has been jailed for five years.

Herve Falciani, who worked for the company’s Geneva private bank, was convicted of aggravated industrial espionage.

The 43-year-old French citizen did not attend his trial in Switzerland.

“The Federal Criminal Court did not believe Falciani’s explanations at all and it clearly understood that this person acted only in greed and with a personal and financial goal,” said Laurent Moreillon, an HSBC lawyer.

HSBC’s Swiss arm has been in the spotlight since 2008, when Falciani left Geneva with files that were leaked to the media. They were alleged to show evidence of tax evasion by clients.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-11-28

[Seastallion]

Seems like he should have given the files to the tax department, not the media.

[Credo]

Two things not to do: Don't get between a hungry dog and his dish and don't get between a rich man and his money.

[Cats4ever]

Ah the good old Honkers & shonkers and Swiss banking law: Made for each other.

[Krataiboy]

The man deserves a medal, not prison. Without the likes of him, Snowden and Assange, we'd all still be living in blissful ignorance of how the corporate/political plutocracy is remorselessly grinding all the freedoms we once took for granted into dust.

Astonishing that he should get a sentence of five years jail when the HSBC crooks who laundered the ill-gotten gains of drug cartels and terrorist groups got off with a slap-on-the-wrist fine - which they have since clawed back by upping their charges and sacking thousands of staff.

One law for us and another for them. When are the sheep going to finally wake up and start saying "Baaa"?

[Linky]

Seems like he should have given the files to the tax department, not the media.

Yes he should have. But even then I dont think he can legally do that unless there is a subpoena. Perhaps best to anonymously leak the info to the tax dept and leave it for them to get the info.

[sanukjim]

The Dummy.He should have picked out the rich clients that would have paid him for their info returned.Pocketed the money and quitly retired to a nice beach someplace.

[Brer Fox]

The Dummy.He should have picked out the rich clients that would have paid him for their info returned.Pocketed the money and quitly retired to a nice beach someplace.

Good thinking Jim. You seem to have missed your career path. But maybe I am being presumptuous and that you have probably gained this knowledge from work experience. If not you certainly have the makings for a career in embezzlement.

[nidieunimaitre]

According to what I read in the press in Farangland:

This is a nonsensical news story.

The whistle blower is in France now.

He did not attend his trial in Banksterland.

Unless he goes to Banksterland and is caught, he will not be jailed.

And to the poster that said that he should not have gone to the media: he first went to the French tax department, that acted appropriately on his evidence.

What is wrong with him later on cashing in on his bravery and honesty?

[sanukjim]

Embezzlement involves working in an office an slowly removing funds.Blackmail gets it to all at once.If I had a chance for that instead of having to work for a living I would be residing down town and not in the suburbs.

[SOTIRIOS]

....one would guess that he firstly wanted to get out alive.....

...what happened afterwards we will never really know....

..... trying to alert people to 'irregularities'....

...seems a bit naive.....

...maybe he was the designated 'fall guy' form the onset but 'did not want to play'....

[nidieunimaitre]

....one would guess that he firstly wanted to get out alive.....

...what happened afterwards we will never really know....

..... trying to alert people to 'irregularities'....

...seems a bit naive.....

...maybe he was the designated 'fall guy' form the onset but 'did not want to play'....

........................

[Ulic]

He is not in jail but happily passing his time in France.