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Electoral fraud
The prosecution files charges against former city clerk +++ Ralph Limoncelli says: “I have a clear conscience” +++ Interested parties also speak out
Upon completion of the criminal investigation, the prosecution will file charges against the former city clerk of the city of Frauenfeld for electoral fraud. This is expressed in a statement. He rejects any blame: “It is inexplicable to me how charges can be brought on the basis of the facts.”
The ballot papers for the Grand Council elections in Frauenfeld on March 15.
- There were irregularities in the Thurgau Grand Council elections in March 2020.
- After the intervention of the GLP, the state chancellery of the canton filed a complaint against unknown persons.
- The Thurgau prosecutor opened a case and spoke of electoral fraud.
- Subsequently, the LPG received another seat on the Grand Council, which the SVP had to relinquish. Electoral fraud had taken advantage of them.
- Now, the prosecution has brought charges against the Frauenfeld city clerk, who had previously left his post.
(pd / lex / seb. / has) In connection with the general council elections on March 15, 2020 in the city of Frauenfeld, the criminal investigation opened by the Thurgau prosecutor’s office concluded on April 2, 2020. Based on the findings of the investigation, the prosecution filed charges against the former city clerk of the city of Frauenfeld on March 24, as he wrote in a statement on Friday. The prosecution took place in the Frauenfeld District Court.
As the message progresses, the former city secretary is charged with qualified voter fraud. “The prosecution requests a 15-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 3,000 Swiss francs.” This with a two-year trial period.
The defendant denies the allegations. The presumption of innocence applies until the end of the criminal process.
Ralph Limoncelli: “What kind of motive should I have?”
Ralph Limoncelli, former Frauenfeld city clerk.
In a statement sent on Friday morning, the defendant expresses his opinion on things:
“I have a clear conscience, so I calmly look at the judicial process.”
It was inexplicable to him how charges could be brought on the basis of the facts. And further: “It seems that for purely political reasons a person has to be dragged to court, so the obstacle in Switzerland is apparently very low.”
In the statement, he notes, for example, that he was active in the Thurgau communities for more than 25 years. “Anyone who knows me well will not believe these false accusations.” Also ask what kind of motive it should have.
“My attorney and I trust that the court will acquit me of all charges.” Until then, however, his good reputation is damaged. He does not want to comment further until the end of the procedure.
The motive of the crime remains the great mystery for the moment
Attorney General Stefan Haffter is also confident, although Limoncelli denies the act. He is convinced that he has enough “meat on the bone” to face the charge. Haffter assumes that the trial hearing will take place in the Frauenfeld district court no later than the fall of this year. From the current perspective, the judicial hearing is public.
As for the motive for the crime, for tactical reasons, the attorney general has not yet reviewed his cards: “I will only comment on this at the hearing,” he says in a certain tone. The same thing happens with the classification of the sentence. “This will also be the subject of the allegation.” In the present case, the law establishes a minimum fine of 30 daily rates and a maximum penalty of three years in prison. If the accused were a person who did not hold any official position on the spot, the minimum penalty would not apply and a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment could be imposed.
Not easy to determine
It has been almost a year since the State Chancellery received the “Complaint Against Unknown” on March 31, 2020 until the accusation was filed on March 24, 2021. Haffter does not accept the often-heard accusation that it took too long . On the contrary: in view of the case, the prosecutor was even very quick. “The investigation was not easy,” he explains.
“You can’t just question witnesses, it’s detailed work.”
On April 2, 2020, the Public Ministry opened criminal proceedings against an unknown perpetrator after examining the complaint. Maintaining the protection of evidence, a recount was conducted, the first investigations were commissioned, and the first interviews were conducted. Finally, on June 12, 2020, the status changed from “unknown” to “person known by name”: Ralph Limoncelli, the then city clerk of Frauenfeld.
Here’s what stakeholders are saying
Two parties were mainly affected by electoral fraud: the SVP and the GLP. On March 15, 2020, the SVP received the seat that was assigned to the GLP on July 1. What do these parties say about the accusation?
Ueli Fisch, GLP Group Leader.
Ueli Fisch, LPG group leader, wants to say something first as a private person who knows Ralph Limoncelli: “I can’t imagine what his motive could be.” Then the hat is changed; as leader of the parliamentary group, he emphasized: “We are happy that the investigation has concluded.” It is further proof that electoral fraud really took place. You have yet to hear, especially from SVP exponents, that this did not exist.
“Now we are excited to see what evidence will be presented in court.”
Politically, too, the chapter on electoral fraud is not yet closed, Fisch emphasizes: A motion by all parties calls for the adjustment of voting and electoral rights so that such a case is impossible in the future. The key words are: plausibility checks, “beware before speed”, recounts or increased checks at electoral offices. The government has yet to respond.
Ruedi Zbinden, President of SVP Thurgau.
Ruedi Zbinden chairs the Senior Vice President of Thurgau. The attorney general previously confirmed that no member of the SVP is at the center of the investigation. “That was a huge relief for us,” he looks back. He thinks that it is correct that now the accusation is presented: “We have always said we want a full investigation. The question of guilt must now be clarified by the judiciary. “It is important to us that the process also runs smoothly in accordance with the rule of law.” Zbinden hopes that the legal process will also provide an answer to the question: How was that possible?
