Million Claim: Grasser’s Private Bankruptcy
- Karl-Heinz Grasser, the former Austrian Finance Minister, has filed for personal bankruptcy following his conviction in the long-running Buwog corruption case.
- Grasser,along with walter Meischberger,is liable for 9.8 million euros in damages to the Republic of austria.
- Manfred Ainedter, Grasser's lawyer, stated that his client has no income and has incurred critically important costs due to the protracted legal proceedings, leaving him "no other option"...
Ex-Finance Minister Grasser Files for Bankruptcy After Corruption conviction
Karl-Heinz Grasser, the former Austrian Finance Minister, has filed for personal bankruptcy following his conviction in the long-running Buwog corruption case. He faces a four-year prison sentence after his final conviction was confirmed.
Grasser,along with walter Meischberger,is liable for 9.8 million euros in damages to the Republic of austria. The court is currently reviewing the bankruptcy filing to determine if it meets legal requirements. According to the KSV,further details is currently unavailable. The Alpine Officer Association (AKV) anticipates the appointment of an insolvency administrator in the coming days, citing the case’s complexity.
Bankruptcy Filing a Result of Legal Costs, Says Lawyer
Manfred Ainedter, Grasser’s lawyer, stated that his client has no income and has incurred critically important costs due to the protracted legal proceedings, leaving him “no other option” than to file for bankruptcy.
Buwog Scandal: A Recap
The Buwog case, one of Austria’s largest corruption scandals in recent history, centers on the 2004 sale of 60,000 federal apartments to immofinance. Grasser was convicted of breach of trust and accepting gifts.
The Supreme Court (OGH) delivered its final judgment in the case on March 25, communicating the decision electronically to legal representatives.
Sentences Reduced Due to lengthy Proceedings
The OGH reduced Grasser’s prison sentence from eight years to four. Meischberger’s sentence was also reduced, from seven years to three and a half. Peter Hochegger, an ex-lobbyist involved in the case, saw his sentence reduced from six years to three. The court cited the “exorbitant and inappropriate procedure” as justification for the reduced sentences.
Karl Petrikovics,former boss of immofinance,had his sentence reduced from two years to 12 months. Ex-RLB-OÖ Starzer saw a partial reduction from three years to 20 months.
Supreme Court Clarifies Deadline Misinformation
In a statement, the OGH addressed what it called “misunderstandings” and “medial misinformation” regarding the judgment’s deadline. The court clarified that the four-week deadline pertains to the Vienna Court of Criminal Court’s request to enforce the sentence,not the delivery of the judgment itself.
The OGH emphasized that there was no “failure of the deadline” on its part. The written judgment was submitted to the writing department for final production on April 4. The 212-page document then underwent a review and anonymization process to protect the data of witnesses and victims.
Next Steps for Grasser and Meischberger
The OGH outlined the procedure for the start of imprisonment for Grasser and meischberger. The one-month period for the criminal offense begins from the Vienna Court of Criminal Court’s request to take the convicted into custody, not from the judgment declaration.
Following the oral announcement of the verdict, Grasser and Meischberger have stated their intention to file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, alleging a miscarriage of justice.
While the ECHR cannot prevent or delay the start of the prison sentence, it coudl theoretically determine a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and request remedial measures. However, ECHR procedures, particularly in complex cases, typically take several years.
Karl-Heinz Grasser Files for Bankruptcy After Buwog Corruption Conviction
Former Austrian Finance Minister karl-Heinz Grasser has filed for personal bankruptcy after his conviction in the Buwog corruption case was upheld. This article provides a extensive overview, addressing the reasons behind the bankruptcy, the specifics of the case, and the implications for Grasser and others involved.
Why Did Karl-Heinz Grasser File for Bankruptcy?
GrasserS lawyer, Manfred Ainedter, cited the substantial costs incurred from the protracted legal proceedings as the primary reason. grasser reportedly has no income, and the legal expenses left him wiht “no other option.”
What is the buwog Corruption Case?
The Buwog case is one of the largest corruption scandals in Austrian history. It centers on the 2004 sale of 60,000 federal apartments to immofinance. Grasser was convicted of breach of trust and accepting gifts. The Supreme Court (OGH) delivered the final judgment on March 25.
What Were the Sentences?
The court reduced the sentences due to the length of the proceedings. Hear’s a breakdown:
- Karl-Heinz Grasser: reduced from 8 years to 4 years.
- Walter Meischberger: Reduced from 7 years to 3.5 years.
- Peter Hochegger: reduced from 6 years to 3 years.
- Karl Petrikovics: Reduced from 2 years to 12 months.
- Ex-RLB-OÖ Starzer: Partial reduction from 3 years to 20 months.
When Does the Prison sentence Start?
The one-month period for the start of the prison sentence begins from the Vienna Court of Criminal Court’s request to take the convicted into custody, not from the judgment declaration.
What is the Supreme Court’s Clarification on the deadline?
The OGH clarified that the four-week deadline pertains to the Vienna Court of Criminal Court’s request to enforce the sentence and not the delivery of the judgment itself. The written judgment was submitted for final production on April 4.
What are the Next Steps for Grasser and Meischberger?
Grasser and Meischberger intend to file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, alleging a miscarriage of justice. However, the ECHR cannot prevent or delay the start of the prison sentence, and its procedures typically take several years.
Key Details of the Buwog Case and Sentences
Here’s a summary of key figures and outcomes:
| Defendant | Original Sentence | reduced Sentence | Reason for Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karl-Heinz Grasser | 8 years | 4 years | Lengthy Proceedings |
| Walter Meischberger | 7 years | 3.5 years | lengthy Proceedings |
| Peter Hochegger | 6 years | 3 years | Lengthy Proceedings |
| Karl Petrikovics | 2 years | 12 months | Lengthy Proceedings |
| Ex-RLB-OÖ Starzer | 3 years | 20 months | Lengthy Proceedings |
Will the ECHR Intervene?
The ECHR can theoretically determine if there was a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and request remedial measures. However, the process in complex cases like this typically takes several years. It cannot prevent or delay the start of the prison sentence.