Austria

Tax evasion: Authorities have revealed a million-strong fraud with diesel fuel. The gang had sold diesel without taxing it.

16 persons including former finance minister Karl-Heinz Grasser are accused by the corruption prosecutor in the case Buwog and Terminal Tower Linz. The Buwog case is about the privatization of flats during Grasser's period as finance minister. The second case is about the renting of offices in the Terminal Tower in Linz for the ministry of finance. In both cases it is assumed that bribery money was paid. Grasser denies any involvement in criminal action. Though investigations started seven years ago it will continue after the announcement got public. When the trial will start is uncertain.

After seven years of investigation former finance minister Karl-Heinz Grasser will need to face court. According to the accusation he was involved in embezzlement and bribery in connection with the privatization of Buwog flats and the moving of finance officials to the Terminal Tower in Linz.

Irregularities while the counting of the votes for Austrian president election may have juridical consequences. Persons who were supposed to supervise the process are suspected of false certification. Also FPÖ representatives whose candidate lost the election curtly and then initiated the investigations are involved. If they will be supported by their party is unclear. The SPÖ has already announced that Villacher's mayor Günther Albel who is accused of misuse of his public position in the case is represented by the party's lawyer.

Austrian Prosecutor for Economic and Corruption Crimes has launched an investigation against Günther Albel (SPÖ), mayor of Villach, because of misuse of public position in connection with the irregularities in Austria's president elections on Sunday, 1th June. Albel admitted to have counted the postal vote on the next day before 9 am which is against the regulations. Albel's lawyer assumes a quick closing of the proceeding.

In the trail against former Meinl managers two were found guilty and two not guilty. Ex-Meinl manager Johann Mantler and his tax adviser, who had a position in the Meinl-foundation himself, were convicted for tax evasion and embezzlement. They were sentenced to 45 months imprisonment (20 conditional) and a fine of 2,1 million Euro.

A former principal is accused of misuse of his public position as he forged pupil numbers to prevent dissolving of classes. He plead guilty.

Concerning the irregularities in Austrian president election the prosecutor of economic and corruption crimes started investigations if it is a case of misuse of public position.

Bernd Schönegger, Austrian MP and secretary of ÖVP Graz, is convicted assistance of embezzlement. Michael Fischer, former ÖVP-employee and head Public-Affairs at Telekom Austria (TA), and the head of a PR-agency were found guilty as well. The case was about a 120.000 payment from TA to ÖVP via the PR-agency. Schönegger denied the accusations in the whole trial.

Austrian MP Bernd Schönegger (ÖVP) was convicted for contribution of embezzlement in connection with a 120.000 payment from Telekom Austria (TA) to his party ÖVP. Also Michael F., former ÖVP employee and later head of Public Affairs at TA, and a PR manager which was close to ÖVP, were found guilty.