The kindergarten association ‘Alt-Wien’ received up to 36 million euros in funding from the city of Vienna between 2009 and 2016. But instead of investing the money in the well-being of the children entrusted to him, the resourceful chairman Richard W. is said to have wasted the taxpayers’ money. The Public Prosecution Service for Economic and Corruption (WKStA) has now filed charges against the former kindergarten operator for serious fraud, breach of trust and fraudulent Krida, as well as five co-defendants for complicity in breach of trust and money laundering.
And the accusations are not without reason: the chairman is said to have inappropriately and improperly taken at least 16 million of the club’s 36 million euros in financing and used it for private purposes. He is said to have purchased and renovated several properties for his four children for at least 3.5 million euros. He also acted as construction contractor for the renovations. Construction workers were also employed by the association or were invoiced through it.
Self-service mentality
In addition, the former nursery school operator is said to have used the non-profit organization’s resources to finance the living expenses of his entire family, his riding school and a sole proprietorship. Traffic fines, cruises, fur coats and opera visits were also billed through the kindergarten’s accounts. The self-service mentality seemed to extend even to the closest employees. Four defendants are accused of money laundering because they allegedly used the funds taken from the association for real estate and renovations. There is no more money. The penalty is a maximum of ten years.
Subsidy freeze imposed by the city of Vienna
The association “Alt-Wien – MUKU – Working Group for Multicultural Preschool Pedagogy” has existed since 1966. 50 years later – in the summer of 2016 – it operated kindergartens at 32 locations and after-school care centers at nine locations. Up to 2,300 children were housed in the association’s facilities in the federal capital. After financial irregularities were discovered and associated media reports, the city of Vienna imposed a subsidy freeze and the club had to file for bankruptcy in August 2016. At that moment, 773 children were on the street; their parents and the city of Vienna had to quickly place the little ones in other shelters.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
