The launch of a new Swiss postage stamp honoring artist Alberto Giacometti has been overshadowed by revelations about the designer, C.G., who was recently convicted of fraud. The stamp, featuring Giacometti’s iconic sculpture “Homme qui marche” (The Walking Man), was intended as a celebration of the Swiss artist’s legacy, but the involvement of a convicted fraudster has sparked controversy and raised questions about Swiss Post’s vetting process.
C.G., a German national who established herself as a curator and artist in St. Moritz, was found guilty of fraudulent misuse of a credit card belonging to a member of the Bahraini royal family. The conviction, handed down by the Swiss Federal Court in early March, carries a two-year prison sentence, with one year suspended, and a five-year deportation order, according to reporting from Bluewin. The case highlights the complexities of balancing artistic merit with ethical considerations in public projects.
The fraud involved the unauthorized use of the royal family member’s credit card between March 2018 and August 2020, resulting in over CHF 724,887 in fraudulent charges for luxury goods and travel. Blick reports that the artist made over 1600 unauthorized purchases, including furniture, alcohol, clothing, and subscriptions.
A History of Fraudulent Activity
This isn’t C.G.’s first encounter with the law. Court documents reveal a pattern of fraudulent behavior, with prior convictions for similar offenses. The most recent case involved defrauding a member of the Bahraini royal family of at least CHF 325,000, after gaining access to their credit card details. The relationship began at the World Economic Forum in 2016, evolving into what court records describe as a “heavily blurred friendship or business relationship,” according to MSN. C.G. Accompanied the royal on trips and managed bookings for hotels, restaurants, and flights, ultimately leading to the misuse of the credit card.
The royal family member reportedly did not notice the fraudulent charges for an extended period, receiving only annual statements without detailed transaction listings. The Swiss Post was unaware of C.G.’s legal troubles when they commissioned her to design the Giacometti stamp, a project she worked on for approximately ten months. She presented the stamp at the Kunsthaus Zurich, describing it as “a small, popular and affordable work of art,” as reported by SonntagsBlick.
Questions Raised About Swiss Post’s Due Diligence
The revelation has prompted criticism of Swiss Post’s vetting procedures. Tagblatt questions how the postal service could have entrusted such a significant project to someone with a known criminal record. The incident raises concerns about the level of background checks conducted on contractors and collaborators involved in public-facing initiatives.
The Giacometti stamp was intended to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the artist’s birth. Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) is considered one of Switzerland’s most essential sculptors, known for his elongated, existential figures. His work continues to be celebrated internationally, and the stamp was meant to honor his enduring legacy.
The case of C.G. And the Giacometti stamp serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough background checks and ethical considerations in public projects. It remains to be seen what repercussions, if any, Swiss Post will face for its decision to collaborate with a convicted fraudster.
As C.G. Awaits the commencement of her prison sentence and subsequent deportation, the focus shifts to Swiss Post’s internal review of its contractor vetting processes. The incident is likely to prompt a reevaluation of risk management protocols to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. The public will be watching closely to notice what steps the postal service takes to restore trust and ensure accountability.
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