Criminal Proceedings Against Investor Pecik Resolved by Diversion

The case was resolved through diversion at the Vienna Regional Court, where Pecik was supposed to be tried, with the consent of the WKStA. This was confirmed by court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn to the APA on Friday.

The fact that Pecik avoided a multi-day main hearing at the regional court is reportedly due to a change of defense attorney. The Viennese lawyer Lukas Kollmann, a specialist in asset, economic, and corruption criminal law, who was engaged by Pecik, filed a motion for diversion at the beginning of July, after Pecik was actually supposed to be tried last May. However, the scheduled trial had to be canceled at short notice due to a serious illness of the 63-year-old defendant.

The WKStA did not oppose the diversion, as Pecik was willing to "take responsibility" and was imposed a "noticeable fine," which has already been paid, said Salzborn. The regional court therefore granted the motion by decision, which was delivered to Pecik's legal representation on Friday. Kollmann was initially unreachable by phone. In any case, Pecik remains without a criminal record with the diversion.

WKStA waives appeal, diversion legally binding

The decision of the regional court is legally binding. "The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office waives an appeal against this decision," WKStA spokesman Martin Ortner announced. This concludes the criminal proceedings against Pecik. Pecik paid an amount set by the regional court of around 60,000 euros as part of the diversion, Ortner explained. The WKStA therefore agrees "with the appropriate and legally correct approach of the Vienna Regional Court for Criminal Matters in accordance with the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office and the Federal Ministry of Justice."

Provision of luxury cars and high-priced men's suits were incriminated

The trial would have dealt with the free provision of a Porsche Panamera and a Mercedes GLE, which Pecik allegedly made available to Schmid on a daily basis between June 2015 and May 2017, according to the indictment. Furthermore, the WKStA accused Pecik of having paid for at least ten Antonio Verago suits for Schmid in December 2015 and April 2016. Total incriminated damage: 17,300 euros.

Pecik was a member of the supervisory board of Telekom Austria AG from August 2012 to June 2017 and thus "an important link between the company and the Republic of Austria as the main owner," the WKStA stated in its indictment. For this reason, Pecik was "very well connected" in the Ministry of Finance and had decided "to use the coordinating, supporting, and advisory help of MMag. Schmid (...) to achieve his goals and assert his interests in connection with Telekom Austria AG." Thomas Schmid had been the chief of staff in the ÖVP-led Ministry of Finance since 2013 and was promoted to Secretary General in 2015.

With a diversion, a criminal proceeding can be resolved without a formal conviction if certain conditions are met. It is required that the facts are sufficiently clarified, the offense is not too serious, and the accused agrees to the diversion. If successfully completed, the criminal proceedings are then terminated without a guilty verdict.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.