Two years have passed since Thomas Schmid made himself available as a key witness for the Public Prosecution Service for Economic Affairs and Corruption. The decision on whether the former Secretary General will be elevated to status at the Ministry of Finance is still pending. The personalities whom Schmid heavily accused in his statements to the corruption hunters used the time to explain in statements that Schmid had fabricated several facts or stated details incorrectly.
Investor Ronny Pecik has already made some statements about this. This is difficult because a suspect who wants to become a key witness must make extensive statements, must provide the prosecutor with new details or crimes, but is of course not allowed to lie.
Accusation of false statements
Now ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz has also made a statement as to why Schmid cannot be given the status of key witness. The former ÖVP chairman also accuses Schmid of making false statements several times in his testimony before the WKStA.
Schmid is said to have given false information about the salary increase of Susanne Thier, Kurz’s partner. Kurz’s former confidante claimed that the ex-chancellor used a conversation with Schmid to get a raise for his partner.
The statement from Kurz’s lawyers states: “During the interrogation, intervention for his partner Susanne Thier was also discussed. Schmid stated that he had advocated changing its use while adjusting the salary. According to his memory, that was in 2016. This statement by Schmid is wrong.”
Revise statements on various topics
When this fact became public, Kurz was able to prove that in 2016 there was no extraordinary salary increase for his partner, but that in 2018 there was only an increase in public services. As a result, Schmid had to testify again before the WKStA and then backtracked: “Kurz did not explicitly demand preferential treatment. That wasn’t his style either.”
Schmid is also alleged to have bent the truth for the WKStA regarding the facts of the Sobotka and Alois Mock Institute. According to Kurz’s lawyers, he has revised his statement about the Catholic Church and tax benefits several times.
The key witness must show remorse and compensate for the damage
Another argument why Schmid cannot be a candidate for leniency status is the new claim for damages from the Republic of Austria against Thomas Schmid in the amount of 2.746 million euros. Given the financial situation of Schmid, who according to his own statements earns around 5,920 euros per month, and the fact that he also has to pay legal costs, full compensation for the damage of 2.7 million euros (…) is realistic seen as unthinkable. “. However, key witnesses must and must show remorse and make amends. In this respect, the Kurz lawyers do not consider the leniency requirement to be met.
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.
