The Federal Competition Authority (BWB) accuses former Minister of Family Affairs Sophie Karmasin (ÖVP) and opinion pollster Sabine Beinschab of reaching an agreement on prices and behaviour. It has therefore submitted applications for fines to the Cartel Court.
At issue are deals that Karmasin reportedly came to studies and polls as a supposed “cheap bidder”. Karmasin and Beinschab’s companies, as well as a third pollster, allegedly agreed five years ago to avoid competition.
Three companies would have benefited from orders
The three companies are accused of matching their bids or prices in such a way that Karmasin’s company got the job. The other two would then have carried out parts of the assignments as subcontractors. According to the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), one public and two private customers have been affected. In one case it is probably the Ministry of Sports, as an employee of this department is also accused.
A criminal case is currently pending against Karmasin. As reported, it has been clear since last week that a lawsuit is coming. The evidence was sufficient “to consider a conviction probable,” the court said in a broadcast. Another claim is that Karmasin continued to receive salary after she left the government. There is no date yet for the main hearing.
The former minister of family affairs risks up to three years in prison for fraud and anti-competitive agreements. She is represented by the law firm Kollmann & Wolm. The bone scraping tool is also still under investigation. Here, for example, is an accusation that the surveys would have served the advancement of the ÖVP.
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.
