Switzerland: College student raises US$140k for whistleblower who lost everything

Swiss college student Natanael Wildermuth started a crowdfunding campaign to aid Adam Quadroni who lost everything after exposing a Swiss construction cartel.

Quadroni owned a construction company in the south-eastern Swiss region of Graubünden. Although he was a long term member of the construction cartel himself, Quadroni exposed the cartel to investigators. After blowing the whistle, Quadroni found his company losing business and in 2013 he had to declare bankruptcy. Last year he encountered more personal problems.

Wildermuth heard about Quadroni’s troubles and said he “wanted to help Quadroni get his life back on track.”

The crowdfunding campaign was originally aimed to raise US$100,000 for Quadroni, but as of May 12 the campaign had raised US$140,000 with over 1200 people donating to the fund. With the goal long since passed, new plans are being looked at including starting a foundation.

Whistleblowers within private firms receive only limited protection under the Swiss justice system. While employees within the federal administration—and, to differing degrees, cantonal employees—have access to an anonymous reporting service, employees of private firms often face losing their job and prosecution.

The Swiss parliament has been looking at legal changes to boost protection for whistleblowers for several years without making progress.

Full Content: The Local

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