Alexander Ernstberger, former CEO of Allra, claims in his new book that prosecutor Thomas Hertz acted illegally by offering leniency during interrogations. Ernstberger, who served four years of a six-year sentence for serious breach of trust and bribery, maintains his innocence. The book criticizes prosecutors and media, alleging misconduct during his trial.
Ernstberger Accuses Prosecutor of Illegal Conduct in New Book
Ernstberger Accuses Prosecutor of Illegal Conduct in New Book
The prosecutor acted "illegally" by offering leniency during the interrogation, claims Allra executive Alexander Ernstberger in a new book after serving four years in prison.
– It is my duty to inform about the possibility of leniency, I inform everyone, says state prosecutor Thomas Hertz.
Alexander Ernstberger, co-founder and CEO of the pension company Allra, was sentenced in 2021 to six years in prison and a ten-year business ban for serious breach of trust and bribery.
He was released this spring after serving four years, and now his book "Staten och kapitalet" is being published by Mondial, in which he claims he was wrongfully convicted. He has maintained this stance throughout the legal process and his time in prison.
Strong Criticism of Prosecutor
The book is strongly critical of prosecutors, media, and everyone he believes has worked against him. He claims, among other things, that prosecutor Thomas Hertz at the Economic Crime Authority acted "illegally" when he suggested leniency during interrogations.
Hertz refutes the claim, stating that he only followed the rules for preliminary investigations when informing about the possibility of leniency.
Ernstberger writes in the book:
"Your colleague Johan Bergsgård is sitting in the room next door. He has been detained for a while. And he has told us very interesting things. You know, I am a prosecutor, so I can offer you leniency if you confess to the crime and explain what happened. I can only give it to one person, so you need to be quicker than Johan. And now we also have your colleague Olle Markusson."
"Directly Illegal"
Ernstberger further writes:
"It is directly illegal for a prosecutor to use promises or suggestions of special benefits as a negotiation method, especially during an interrogation if the purpose is to elicit a confession."
The prosecutor responds that it is his duty and a standard procedure to provide such information during interrogations – and that Ernstberger may have misunderstood parts of what was said.
– It is my duty according to the Preliminary Investigation Ordinance to inform a person that he can receive leniency in court if he talks about his own criminality. I inform all suspects, says state prosecutor Thomas Hertz at the Economic Crime Authority.
– It must be information that has not previously emerged and can thus save the investigation time and money. So it can be crucial if another person has already provided that information, he says.
Very Uncommon with Leniency
Hertz says he may have mentioned Ernstberger's colleagues during the interrogation, but it must be a "misunderstanding" that he would have said that only "one person" can receive leniency.
He also says that leniency is very uncommon and that he has only had one case in his career.
Expressen has unsuccessfully sought Ernstberger's defense attorney, Slobodan Jovicic.
Ernstberger Convicted in Court of Appeal
Alexander Ernstberger and three other Allra executives were acquitted in the district court but convicted in July 2021 by the Svea Court of Appeal for deliberately making poor securities transactions to enrich themselves at the expense of Swedish pension savers. They were also ordered to pay approximately 170 million kronor in damages to the Pensions Authority.
Ernstberger remains under a ten-year business ban. A trial regarding his luxury villa in Lidingö is also expected this fall.