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Austria charges three in high-profile CASAG tax relief scandal

A €630,000 tax break granted under suspicious circumstances now unravels into a corruption case. Who pulled the strings—and why? The trial could reshape Austria's fight against political graft.

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The image shows an old map of the city of Salzburg, Austria, with text written on it. The map is...
The image shows an old map of the city of Salzburg, Austria, with text written on it. The map is detailed, showing the streets, buildings, and other landmarks of the area. The text on the map provides additional information about the city, such as its population, roads, and landmarks.

Austria charges three in high-profile CASAG tax relief scandal

Austria's Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) has brought charges against three prominent figures in the ongoing CASAG affair. The case centres on a disputed €630,000 tax relief granted to industrialist Siegfried Wolf in 2018. Courts have since ruled the relief unlawful, sparking allegations of bribery and official misconduct.

The charges involve industrialist Siegfried Wolf, former Finance Minister Hans Jörg Schelling, and a senior tax official. Wolf stands accused of bribery and incitement to abuse of office, allegedly influencing the tax official's career prospects in exchange for favourable treatment. The tax official, in turn, faces charges of abuse of office and accepting bribes after approving Wolf's tax relief without proper documentation or internal justification.

Hans Jörg Schelling, who left office in 2017, is accused of attempting to pressure the tax official on Wolf's behalf. Prosecutors claim he sought to secure the €630,000 reduction through improper influence. Schelling has denied the allegations, but the WKStA formally indicted him in 2024 for attempted inducement to official misconduct. The Federal Finance Court and the Administrative Court later declared the tax relief unlawful. Investigations revealed no records of meetings or communications supporting the decision, despite objections from within the tax office.

The case now moves forward with formal charges against all three individuals. If convicted, they could face significant legal consequences. The outcome may also prompt further scrutiny of tax procedures and political influence in Austria.

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