U-Committee: WKStA prosecutor sees improvements – news.ORF.at
In the ÖVP corruption committee, group leader Bernhard Weratschnig from the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA), who was already invited to the “Ibiza” U-Committee and complained about cross-shots from the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office and file leaks, is the first person to be questioned today.
In his statement, Weratschnig said at the beginning that the findings from the ongoing investigations were unique, but also the basis for a relevant and necessary review. It is expected that the change in service and technical supervision, which is now the responsibility of the Innsbruck Public Prosecutor’s Office, and a reduced reporting obligation. The WKStA is now recognized, but he would like three additional employees.
Letter to a Minister of Justice
Weratschnig had recently written an open letter to the Ministry of Justice Alma Zadic (Greens) as a staff representative: because of the chats between the Secretary General in the Ministry of Justice, Christian Pilnacek, and the head of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office (OStA), Johann Fuchs.
Among other things, an observation by a public prosecutor in the WKStA was discussed. According to Weratschnig, something like this is unique, and he also doesn’t understand why there were no further consequences beyond Pilnacek’s suspension. Fuchs is still active as the head of the OStA and the OStA Vienna is also responsible for the technical and service supervision of the WKStA, there is only one public prosecutor from Innsbruck, now assigned to the service and commissioned with it.
When asked about the leaks, Weratschnig said to trial judge Wolfgang Pöschl that he could rule out that someone from his team would make things public, which would also be punishable by public prosecutors. However, leaks are also part of PR, which aims to first bring an unpleasant story to the public in order to give it the right spin – and at the same time to discredit investigators or those involved.
Leaks by ex-prosecutor
Stephanie Krisper (NEOS) then wanted to know how the leaks were discovered by the former WKStA public prosecutor Linda Poppenwimmer at the WKStA itself, such as the photographing of calendar entries. That was not acceptable, so the person providing information, she should have followed the official channels and discussed problems internally.
The legal protection officer Gabriele Aicher uses his knowledge without modification, Weratschnig continues. Aicher had sharply criticized the WKStA in the course of the ÖVP advertisement affair in a press release, in which according to reports there was assistance from the Ainedter law firm – Poppenwimmer is now also active there. The law firm represents two ÖVP politicians accused by the WKStA.
Indirect pressure
Christian Stocker (ÖVP) wanted to know whether there were political interventions in the “Causa Ibiza” – he had no perceptions about that, said Weratschnig. However, as you can see from the chats, something like this doesn’t work directly. In the chats you can see that an attempt was made to put pressure on clerks, for example through supervisory procedures. The wording in the chats is clearly unique. That was actually the case in direct cooperation as well.
Julia Herr calls for the SPÖ to communicate between Poppenheimer and Fuchs, in which the lawyer had offered an “update” on a current autumn. Weratschnig repeated that this communication outside of official channels is unusual.
“Culture change” in the case of reporting requirements
There has been a certain “cultural change”, said Weratschnig in response to questions from FPÖ parliamentary group leader Christian Hafenecker, the reporting obligation has been significantly reduced and corresponds to the specified legal requirements. Poppenheimer was on leave for a year until December of this year, so he also has the right to return.
In an OTS, Poppenheimer had argued the change to the law firm with a “poisoned atmosphere” and “friend-foe thinking”. Weratschnig also confirmed the interrogation of former ÖBAG boss Thomas Schmid this week – the originally planned appointment in December had to be canceled due to illness.
“Fucking B. so expensive”
David Stögmüller wanted to know details about the house search in the course of the ÖVP advertisement affair at Wolfang Fellner. Wertaschnig reported that he was there personally, which was the reason for Aicher’s rebuke. Editorial secrecy was maintained, confiscated devices were sealed. He confirmed a statement by Fellner that “the shit B. so expensive”.
“whore of the rich”
The second person to provide information today was a close associate of the former Secretary General in the Ministry of Finance, Schmid (keyword “whore of the rich”). The parties want to know more about the “Beinschab-Tool” and about the tax cause Siegfried Wolf.