The Public Prosecution Service for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) is facing another request to terminate the proceedings. After ex-CFO Peter Sidlo, former Viennese FPÖ boss Johann Gudenus also wants the casino file to be closed after three and a half years of investigation against the former top politician for accomplices in suspected bribery.
Freely based on the fact that the croupier says “Nothing works anymore” when betting at the roulette table, Gudenus’ lawyer considers the investigative work of the WKStA to be de facto over. In addition, Thomas Schmid’s extensive confession in “Faktum CASAG” has exonerated his client.
Schmid: “I don’t know any FPÖ-Novomatic deal”
Accordingly, the prosecution’s star witness stated in his statement: “I am not aware of any FPÖ-Novomatic deal, I am not aware of any criminal responsibility or criminal guilt in this context.”
Gudenus is done with politics
“Joschi”, as friends call him, is now completely done with politics and starts a job network as a consultant…
The former CFO of Casinos Austria, Peter Sidlo, had previously called for the proceedings to be stopped. Under the Turquoise Blue government, Sidlo was appointed chief financial officer of Casinos Austria, which Novomatic was involved with at the time.
As part of the investigation, a deal between the FPÖ and Novomatic was suspected: party donations to the FPÖ and ordering Sidlos in exchange for a gambling package. However, the suspects deny the allegations.
Gambling licenses: new rules for granting them
In the future, gambling licenses will no longer be issued directly by the Ministry of Finance, but by an independent body, the ministry announced. The authority is designed and can be quickly decided as an individual measure. “It is still important for the BMF to carry out a tender as part of an independent body, but at the same time it is also seriously preparing for a possible tender under the existing rules,” said the Ministry of Finance.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.