Der Korruptionsjäger

Black money affairs. When it comes to corruption, bribery, and kickbacks, one name increasingly comes up: Mark Pieth. On Monday and Tuesday, he is giving lectures. For the rest of the week, he rushes from a FIFA congress in Budapest to a presentation for arms manufacturers in Madrid, with an interview for an Argentine radio station in between. Criminal lawyer Mark Pieth is a sought-after figure worldwide, serving as an expert for the media, an advisor for corporations in sensitive industries, or as a chair of investigative committees appointed by the UN, OECD, or World Bank. The resignation of the first Federal Councilor Elisabeth Kopp marked the beginning of his unprecedented career, "Oil for Food" made him internationally renowned, and his involvement with the world football association has drawn criticism from many quarters. Nevertheless, his reputation has remained intact. Pieth navigates the international stage without being a part of it himself. Sometimes he stands at the buffet of a congress next to a globally recognized figure against whom he has gathered overwhelming evidence over the years. Where does the man from Graubünden, who lived as a child in Manchester, find his drive to make business, politics, or sports more transparent and cleaner? Thomas Brändle uncovers the person behind the public figure Mark Pieth in conversation, drawing out personal insights, facts, and anecdotes from the rich tapestry of his unusual life. “The last four folders are press reports regarding the FIFA mandate,” the professor points to the shelf in his office at the law faculty. On his desk, articles collected in a box labeled "Money Laundering" are piled high. Pieth is dressed in jeans, a sweater, and a shirt underneath, as if he were one of his students. “All the rest are from the time before,” he adds. Once, his name was also on a folder of the state security in Bern. The file "Mark Pieth" will now be expanded with this book.