Scandal in Wels

Civil servant poses with Hitler beard at magistrate’s party

The employee had himself photographed at the Wels magistrate's party with a Hitler beard glued on

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Horst Einoeder Privat)

The "Krone" newspaper has obtained a photo showing an apparently drunk member of the Wels city council with a moustache like the one worn by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. The picture is said to have been taken during a party attended by hundreds of town hall employees. 

It was at this year's summer festival of the Wels City Council at the beginning of July in the Wels City Hall. At a late hour, employees there apparently had the glorious idea of photographing one of the officials with a Hitler beard glued on, while a colleague was also tweezing his side parting in the style of the Nazi criminal. Other employees can be seen in the background of the photo.

Photo circulated in the magistrate's office for months
This picture then circulated for months in the magistrate's office and has now also been leaked to the Wels Initiative against Fascism (Antifa). "A public servant of advanced age should know, even after a few beers, that it is disgusting to appear as a criminal against humanity," says Antifa chairman Werner Retzl, outraged. "But as the photo shows, he wasn't the only one having fun with it."

Even after a few beers, a public servant of advanced age should know that it is disgusting to appear as a criminal against humanity.

Antifa-Vorsitzender Werner Retzl

City boss Andreas Rabl (FPÖ) is aware of the photo, but did not want to comment on it when asked by "Krone", referring instead to municipal director Peter Franzmayr as the person to contact. And he confirmed that he had learned of the photo just a few days after the incident. "There was a suspicion of a breach of official duty, so I initiated an investigation."

Officers were questioned about the incident
The officer pictured and other officers still recognizable from the photo were questioned about the incident. "The employee concerned justified himself by saying that he was already so drunk at the time that he didn't even notice when the beard was glued to him." His colleagues also confirmed that the man was anything but sober.

Franzmayr points out that the theme of the party was "Mexico" and that many visitors had come with glued-on moustaches. "Unfortunately, it was just as difficult to find out who trimmed this moustache as it was to find out who drew the parting."

Had to undergo alcohol counseling
The employee's responsibility was credible to him. In any case, the officer was reprimanded under employment law and had to undergo mandatory alcohol counseling. "He completed this." 

Also "bold salute" and "white power" sign?
Another suspicious photo emerged on Thursday. This one was taken at the magistrate's Christmas party on 10 December and again shows the employee from the summer party with the conspicuous behavior. In the picture, you can see how he is possibly giving the "Kühnengruß". "It was the victory sign," says city boss Andreas Rabl, defending the man. Another employee presumably presents the "White Power" sign. "The OK sign", contradicts Rabl.

It had already become known in September of this year that a high-ranking lawyer from Wels City Council had allegedly shouted "foreigners out" at a wedding party and shown the Hitler salute. However, an internal magistrate's case was soon dropped. The public prosecutor's office is still investigating.