The SICPA file: behind the CHF 81 million decision

What does CHF 81 million cover?

On 27 April 2023, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland announced a decision against SICPA SA for corporate criminal liability connected to acts of corruption. The CHF 81 million total comprised a CHF 1 million fine and a CHF 80 million compensatory claim. Describing the entire sum simply as a fine misses that distinction.

The organisational shortcomings identified by prosecutors concerned safeguards against employees bribing foreign public officials. Swissinfo’s report on the same day discussed activities in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.

Corporate and individual liability are separate

The official announcement also reported a suspended 170-day prison sentence for a former sales manager. Proceedings against the CEO and major shareholder were discontinued. The company’s conviction should not be presented as a conviction of those individuals.

SICPA’s response

According to the company statement reported by Swissinfo, SICPA said it would not appeal, while disagreeing with some of the reasoning. Its response and the prosecution’s findings represent different sides of the case.

This report focuses on the scope of the decision announced in 2023. Procurement controversies or separate proceedings in other countries cannot automatically be treated as extensions of that decision.