The trial against former Minister of Family Affairs Sophie Karmasin (ÖVP) and a co-defendant head of department of the Ministry of Sports continues on Tuesday in the Vienna Regional Court. Karmasin is accused of serious fraud and enacting anti-competitive measures. The current negotiation is not yet about her role in the ÖVP investigation affair. Pollster Sabine Beinschab is invited as a witness.
Their interrogation was scheduled for April 27. Beinschab also showed up punctually for the appointment and had waited hours in front of the main jury courtroom for her hearing, which was then postponed at short notice because Karmasin’s lawyer was taking too much time with the previous witnesses. Sentences in the Karmasin trial are scheduled for May 23.
Falsely obtained follow-up payments?
After leaving politics, the former minister allegedly obtained continued payments illegally by concealing from employees of the Federal Chancellery that she would continue her self-employed activity after her term as Minister of Family Affairs. The indictment contains 78,589.95 euros.
The second complex of indictments relates to three investigations for the Ministry of Sports, for which Karmasin was awarded the contract after leaving politics by, according to the indictment, inducing two competitors – including her former employee Sabine Beinschab – to “disclose the specified content to be carried out”. by it and with it in advance to pass on agreed offers to the customers to ensure that Karmasin Research & Identity GmbH, attributable to them, would receive the orders” (complaint). In this context, the proceedings against Beinschab were discontinued and she was granted leniency witness status by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) The proceedings against the second pollster have been concluded conclusively, according to the WKStA she has already provided charitable services.
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.
