In the ongoing trial surrounding the Coronavirus mask scandal in Bavaria, the public prosecutor's office has proposed a severe sentence of four years and nine months for Andrea Tandler, the daughter of a former CSU leader. Her business partner, too, is facing four years in prison, as per the prosecutor's statement at the Munich I Regional Court last Tuesday.
Defense lawyers for both defendants advocated for leniency, with Tandler's attorneys requesting a sentence at least four years and three months. However, they left the specific sentence determination to the court's discretion. Meanwhile, N.'s defense lawyers demanded a more lenient three years and six months for their client.
In 2020, during the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, Tandler facilitated deals on behalf of a Swiss mask supplier with various federal and state authorities. The commissions amounting to nearly 50 million euros were entirely legal. However, the public prosecutor's office alleges that Tandler and her partner failed to properly pay taxes on these commissions, consequently placing themselves in a legally questionable position.
Additional Insights:
- During the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, the procurement of protective masks was heavily criticized for its lack of transparency and potential corruption.
- Allegations were made against CSU politicians Alfred Sauter, Georg Nüßlein, and Andrea Tandler, with Andrea Tandler mentioned to have received €48 million, while her business partner received around €1.2 million each.
- The procurement process was accused of facilitating purchases from China despite quality concerns raised by two ministries.
- The case led to investigations and accusations of corruption, with some politicians defending the purchases as necessary during the crisis.
As of 2024, no specific sentencing demands have been publicly announced or reported in the sources. The case is still under investigation, with ongoing debates about the appropriateness of the government's response to the pandemic and potential corruption within the procurement process.
