At the end of May 2023, ex-Family Minister Sophie Karmasin (ÖVP) was sentenced by the Vienna Regional Court to a 15-month suspended prison sentence due to provisions on agreements that restricted competition. She was acquitted of serious fraud in connection with the continued receipt of her ministerial salary. Whether this will remain the case will become clear in four weeks.
On March 6, the Supreme Court (OGH) will hear the appeals against the decisions in first instance.
The nullity complaints and appeals from the defendants and the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Economic and Corruption (WKStA) will be decided during a public hearing in the Great Hall of the Palace of Justice.
The guilty verdict at first instance against the former ÖVP minister, who is still under investigation by the WKStA in connection with the ÖVP advertising affair, was based on three investigations for the Ministry of Sports.
Continued payments were obtained “on purpose.”
Regarding the allegation of serious fraud against Sophie Karmasin, the first court found that it was “undoubtedly proven” and “clearly documented” that after she left ministerial office in early December 2017, despite taking up professional activities, she committed this “with full intention” and fraudulently obtained her continued payments until the end of May 2018. However, the first instance concluded that criminal liability for the fraud had been eliminated, as it had to be admitted that the ex-minister had made full, timely and voluntary compensation for the damages before law enforcement authorities became aware of Karmasin’s guilt.
Karmasin won the order for this by having two competitors – including its former employee Sabine Beinschab – ‘send quotations to the clients that it had specified in terms of content and had agreed with it in advance to ensure that Karmasin Research, which is attributable to her & Identity GmbH would receive the orders,” the complaint said.
62,000 euros refunded
The fact that Karmasin continued to receive her ministerial salary was first discussed on March 7, 2022. Two days later – while in custody – she arranged through her legal representatives for approximately 62,000 euros to be repaid. At that time, the WKStA was not yet investigating the ex-minister because of the continued payment of her salary.
An appeal for nullity was filed
The WKStA has filed an appeal for nullity against the acquittal on fraud charges. She has filed a criminal appeal against the fifteen-month suspended prison sentence due to the provision on anti-competitive agreements.
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.
