53 defendants

This is what the Wiener Wohnen brothel trial was about

(Bild: Gerhard Bartel, Wolfgang Spitzbart, Krone KREATIV)

Start of the big trial on bribery and corruption at "Wiener Wohnen". 45 former foremen of the City of Vienna are also on trial. They plead not guilty. The main defendant is also not confessing. He surprises with his responsibility.  

It is an unusual picture in the large jury courtroom in Vienna's Landl district: the first five rows are filled with defendants, mostly men over 50. 49 of the 53 defendants are present. The main defendant, a businessman, is accused of "bribing" 45 former Wiener Wohnen employees between 2011 and 2013. City foremen were "rewarded" with vouchers for the billing of fictitious repair services in municipal buildings.

My client led a lottery life.

Martin Nemec verteidigt den Hauptangeklagten.

Chief public prosecutor: "This is a joke"
From the point of view of the WKStA, the 58-year-old made a "completely absurd claim of responsibility": "It's a fantasy, a joke." According to him, the lists of houses documenting fictitious damage were only created "in order to smuggle money out of the company past his sister, who was responsible for accounting." For amusements, specifically for visits to brothels. "He led a lottery life," argues defense lawyer Martin Nemec.

None of the accused foremen claim to have accepted vouchers. "They don't have to prove themselves freely. The WKStA has to provide the evidence," says lawyer Norbert Wess, who represents 35 of them.

A single confession
When the judge asks those present to indicate by show of hands who has pleaded not guilty, 48 hands go up in the large jury courtroom. Only one of the entrepreneur's employees pleads guilty. The man represented by Philipp Wolm(www.kw-anwaelte.com) admits to having created fictitious lists.