Accusation of bias – Judge von Grasser and Co. on the test bench

Things must be lively in the Hohenecker household. In the Buwog trial, Judge Marion Hohenecker sentenced Karl-Heinz Grasser, his “Sonnyboy” friend Walter Meischberger, and the “godfather” of political production, Peter Hochegger, to eight, seven, and six years in prison, respectively.

The gentlemen have since filed an action for annulment. An argument by Grasser and Meischberger: alleged judge bias. According to his celebrity lawyers Ainedter and Wess, her husband, also a judge, had tweeted some kind of prejudice against Grasser.

The ball is now in the court of the highest courts. Well-known lawyers see a valid reason to challenge the verdict in the possible partiality. In addition to Buwog, another family excitement: the judge’s stepson is in the crosshairs of the WKStA. The lawyer is accused of serious fraud. It concerns compensation of more than five million euros. The lawyer is said to have unlawfully demanded about 200 euros in damages of thousands of euros on the internet for his client, who was also accused. It is the presumption of innocence.

“Unapproved Evidence”
The same goes for the protagonists of Buwog. Only lobbyist Peter Hochegger is partially admitted. His lawyer Leo Kregjck says that Hochegger was only told afterwards that provisions had been poured into three accounts belonging to Grasser, his broker friend Plech and Meischberger. A corresponding letter confirms this. That would have acquitted Hochegger. The evidence was not considered by the judge.”

Hochegger and Kregjck see good chances of a successful annulment appeal. Likewise Grasser and Meischberger. The procedure, which has been running since 2009, could be extended even further.