WKStA requests extradition of SPÖ-nominated Kocevar over fraud and acceptance of advantage
The Economic and Corruption Prosecution Office is investigating Ebreichsdorf's mayor Wolfgang Kocevar. He supports lifting his immunity and denies all allegations.
Extradition request against Ebreichsdorf mayor and SPÖ representative
The Economic and Corruption Prosecution Office (WKStA) has requested the extradition of a National Council member from National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ), as reported by Kleine Zeitung. The member in question is Wolfgang Kocevar, SPÖ-nominated National Council member and mayor of Ebreichsdorf in Baden district.
An investigation has been launched against Kocevar and several other individuals on suspicion of fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy, and acceptance of advantage. The core allegation: acting as a public official, he is said to have accepted an advantage of more than 3,000 euros for the municipal corporation during a municipal council resolution concerning the rezoning of a property.
Specifically, the financing of a municipal ball is said to have been entirely taken on by the rezoning applicant. Additionally, the donation of a portion of land is said to have been agreed. The event took place on 24 January at the former Magna Racino facility, which has since been taken over by billionaire Luke Comer's Comer Group.
Kocevar himself informed the public in a statement that the report came from a private individual. The Social Democrat spoke out on Monday in favour of lifting his immunity, "so that the prosecution office can investigate and the completely baseless allegations relating to my work as mayor can be quickly cleared up". He denied the allegations.
The immunity committee of the National Council will decide on the extradition request. The WKStA did not publicly name the affected member when asked by the APA, but confirmed the request.
Source: Kleine Zeitung