Causa Herberstein
The Herberstein case includes irregularities in the administration of the headquarters of the Herberstein family as well as in the granting and use of funds from the State of Styria for the Herberstein Castle and Zoo . The cause led to convictions for serious commercial fraud and tax evasion as well as to the establishment of an investigative committee of the Landtag of Styria .
background
The Herberstein Castle Animal and Nature Park Herberstein Castle OEG (Herberstein OEG for short) contained parts of the legacy of DI Johann Otto Herberstein. Due to testamentary dispositions, Andrea Herberstein (née Untersteiner) was unable to take over unions. However, while her son was appointed sole managing director, she de facto ran the company. The financial situation of the company (as well as the predecessor companies) was chronically strained. Funding measures of the state of Styria from several departments of the state government comprised almost EUR 7 million over several decades. They took place in particular as part of the state exhibition 'Die Steiermark: Brücke und Bollwerk (1986)' and the establishment of the 'Gironcoli Museum (2004)' , but also concerned renovation measures on the castle or on paths as well as numerous other items. In 2002, the state of Styria participated in the Herberstein OEG as part of a typical silent society .
Criminal law dimension
There were numerous irregularities in the management of the Herberstein companies. Investment activities for private residential buildings were billed via Herberstein OEG by asking suppliers to issue incorrect bills. Systematic concealment of the farms' income resulted in illicit money that was either used for untaxed payment of services and wages or withdrawn privately.
Voluntary reports by the estate manager and later by Andrea Herberstein to obtain mitigation of the penalty led to the discovery of these irregularities. Andrea Herberstein and her administrators were sentenced to several months' imprisonment, her son Maximilian, officially appointed managing director, was acquitted.
Political dimension
As part of an investigation committee set up in 2006, numerous shortcomings were summarized in the final report:
- no medium to long-term funding concept
- release of funding despite unclear use of funds
- lack of legal legitimation of Andrea Herberstein as the Herberstein OEG authorized negotiator and representative
- insufficient funding control (no written applications, superficial control of the use of funds)
- no funds tied up in the capital contribution of ATS 40 million as part of the participation as a silent partner
- approval of the disbursement of EUR 1 million through a ' holiday disposal ' from Waltraud Klasnic if there is no recognizable urgency
The clarification of the Herberstein case contributed to the pressure on the Styrian ÖVP. After the 2005 election defeat, Waltraud Klasnic withdrew from politics.
In October 2006 the 'Steirische Landestiergarten GmbH' - a subsidiary of the State of Styria - was founded and has been running the zoo ever since.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Final report of the committee of inquiry examining political responsibility for the grievances in connection with the Herberstein OEG ( memento of the original from January 15, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 740 kB) State Parliament of Styria
- ↑ Heinz Boxan: The Herberstein case . MV Buch-Kunst-Musik Verlag GmbH, Graz 2011, ISBN 3-902335-09-2
- ^ Causa Herberstein: Application for mitigation denied Die Presse
