Former finance minister Karl-Heinz Grasser was happy after the acquittal in his tax process, but did not shy away from criticism of the prosecutor’s office and the media. The fact that officials who shared the legal views of Grasser’s representatives had been investigated for suspected abuse of office made him “deeply concerned,” according to a Tuesday broadcast. In addition, the process was accompanied by “media bias”.
Originally, the investigation was directed against eight suspects (six persons and two associations). Four persons were investigated on suspicion of abuse of office, partly because of contributing to tax evasion, in connection with a possible bias of employees of the Tax Authorities working in the case. The relevant procedures have been discontinued.
Lawyer: Taxes “Paid Fully Correctly”
The filing of the indictment in December 2021 was nevertheless a “sad high”. Now the lay judges have proved their innocence in the ensuing proceedings and have formed a “free” and “independent” verdict. According to his lawyer, Grasser paid all taxes due in Austria “completely correctly” and the notification to the tax authorities was also correct. A criminal offense can therefore be excluded.
Tailwind was hoping for Buwog appointment
“The (massively negative) media coverage has been enormous,” Grasser said, according to the broadcast. He likes the acquittal and is “very confident that the objectifiable and above all legal arguments will also primarily be discussed in the so-called Buwog appeal procedure”.
In the Buwog trial at the end of 2020, the former top politician was not legally sentenced to several years in prison in the first instance. His lawyers appealed.
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.
