Telekom scandal: Hochegger and Fischer in Vienna court again
Former lobbyist Peter Hochegger and ex-Telekom Austria executive Rudolf Fischer are facing court in Vienna again over allegations of breach of trust. A verdict is expected on Thursday.
Vienna Regional Criminal Court: Fourth trial in Telekom scandal
Former lobbyist Peter Hochegger (77) and former Telekom Austria executive Rudolf Fischer (73) had to answer for themselves again before the Vienna Regional Criminal Court on Wednesday. According to diepresse.com, the proceedings once again centre on breach of trust in connection with so-called "black cash reserves" of the part-state-owned telecommunications company.
Both defendants have already been convicted three times. The underlying pattern has always been the same: multi-million amounts were siphoned out of Telekom Austria and parked in a cash reserve administered by Hochegger. Using these funds, between 2005 and 2008, various political circles were to be favoured – in support of advantageous economic conditions for the company.
Sports sponsorship, equestrian event and election campaign financing
Specifically, according to the prosecution, the money flowed into sponsorship of local sports clubs, into an AIDS gala and into an equestrian tournament – all at the request of individual politicians. In addition, several parties are said to have benefited from hidden election campaign contributions. Fischer's lawyer Otto Dietrich dryly noted in the courtroom: "We did not see the politicians here."
Constitutional Court ruling in Buwog proceedings as trigger
The reason for the new proceedings lies in a ruling by the Constitutional Court (OGH) in March of the previous year. At that time, the Constitutional Court decided in final instance on the guilty verdicts in the Buwog proceedings against former Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser, who received four years imprisonment and is currently under house arrest with an electronic ankle bracelet. Since the competent court of first instance had also included parts of the Telekom scandal in the Buwog trial, the Constitutional Court quashed parts of the convictions of Hochegger and Fischer.
In the previous year, Hochegger had been convicted, among other things, of breach of trust and bribery to three years imprisonment, partly suspended; part of this guilty verdict was quashed. Fischer's original sentence of one year partly suspended was also set aside. Under the chairmanship of Judge Christoph Zonsics-Kral, the newly constituted court is now addressing those charges that require a new assessment.
Hochegger partially admits guilt
Hochegger, represented by lawyer Leo Kregcjk, entered a partial confession. He sat patiently before the judge – like Grasser, wearing an electronic ankle bracelet. He avoided questions on details by pointing out that the events occurred around 20 years ago; he could no longer recall the particulars. Nonetheless, he acknowledged what is being alleged against him in connection with the Telekom scandal.
Partial acquittals possible
The Constitutional Court has given the court a clear guideline: not every transaction from Telekom Austria to Hochegger's agency constitutes breach of trust. As long as the money had not yet been passed on to political circles and Fischer still had control over it, there was no breach of trust. On the basis of these guidelines, partial acquittals are considered probable. The verdict is expected on Thursday.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)