Next appointment, next attempt: The investigative committee set up by the Bavarian state parliament to clarify the mask affairs has invited the witness Andrea Tandler for next Wednesday and Thursday. The Munich PR entrepreneur brokered mask deals via CSU channels at the beginning of the pandemic and quickly became a multiple millionaire. However, she did not appear for two appointments in the U-Committee due to illness.
Now, after a forensic examination ordered by the committee, she is expected to come after all. Committee chief Winfried Bausback (CSU) said on request that, according to the results of the investigation, Andrea Tandler was “not permanently unable to be questioned”. Former Minister of Justice Bausback did not give any details. Andrea Tandler is a daughter of former Minister and CSU General Secretary Gerold Tandler.
If necessary, a forensic examination
Her charge for two consecutive days apparently has the following background: If, according to a medical certificate, she is not able to be heard next Wednesday, then the state parliament could immediately order a new forensic medical examination and thus check whether the entrepreneur could come the next day. Such an approach is known from court cases and is not uncommon. In any case, it can be assumed that Andrea Tandler, as the accused in two investigations in Munich and Berlin, will exercise her right to refuse to testify.
But she would have to explain that herself in a public session in the state parliament. Before and after such an appearance, photographers and cameramen could take photos and film recordings of her. The entrepreneur who avoids public appearances would appear in many media this way. She would then have to accept that as a person of public interest. Andrea Tandler, together with a partner, collected 48 million euros for the mask deals she brokered, which caused widespread outrage.
The public prosecutor’s offices in Berlin and Munich are investigating suspected bribery and money laundering allegations against Andrea Tandler and her partner. The two deny all allegations.