Application is available – Schmid: “I agreed to self-destruct”

After his extensive interrogations before the WKStA, Thomas Schmid is now trying to apply for the coveted leniency programme. If he gets it, he’ll probably save himself a long prison sentence – provided he makes a significant contribution to the investigation of previously unknown crimes.

Professional and economic self-destruction
His lawyers’ arguments are: Schmid put his fate in the hands of the WKStA when he testified there in full. He “agreed with open eyes to his professional and economic self-destruction”. In particular, if Schmid were not granted leniency status, it would make it clear to the public that ultimately it would simply be “better” not to cooperate with investigating authorities under any circumstances, it said.

“Beinschab has it, so Schmid should get it too”
In addition, Sabine Beinschab, operator of the ominous “Beinschab tool”, with which fake surveys were sent to a daily newspaper, also received the leniency program: refusing leniency for the defendant would be completely incomprehensible, especially considering that the leniency law has already been force was Schmid’s lawyers argued that the (former) defendant Beinschab admitted to doing so, although she did not reveal her disclosure until after her arrest.

The WKStA and the Ministry of Justice are now deciding on leniency status. A council of wise men will deal with the matter there, as the matter is of public interest.

Lucky with mini penalty
Thomas Schmid was fortunate in his misfortune recently: as the Federal Administrative Court ruled, he was largely entitled to refuse to testify during his silent questioning in the U Commission. According to the verdict, he only had to answer individual, rather unimportant questions. That is why Schmid only has to pay a fine of 800 euros, a piece of cake.