Corruption in St. Pölten: Investigations into illegal garbage deals intensified!

Corruption in St. Pölten: Investigations into illegal garbage deals intensified!

St. Pölten, Österreich - in St. Pölten is bubbling: The law enforcement authorities have intensified the investigation into a possible corruption scandal about garbage disposal. The accusation: illegal garbage deals in which waste against private consideration was disposed of without paying the corresponding taxes. The [Magistrat St. Pölten] (https://www.noen.at/st-poelten/korruption-in-st-poelten-groessen-goessen-Nahdigten-zum-vor-vorfu-Muell pick-up-480599045) has already filed for a broader examination in March.

What's going on? Initially, three employees of the garbage disposal were the focus of the investigation. But it quickly turned out that the number of suspects could now be in the double -digit range. It is significant that the allegations were initially classified as not serious, which did not result in any immediate investigation. However, after a further presentation of the facts, the Federal Office for Corruption Prevention and Corruption Fighting acted actively, and the situation escalated.

of bribery and consequences

In the room there are now serious allegations of bribery. If the accusations are obtained, those affected face several years of prison sentences. The public prosecutor is currently waiting for the final report of the executive, while corruption investigators have already carried out the first interrogations. The city of St. Pölten has already announced the consequences under office law. But not only the employees of the garbage disposal are affected: hosts who have tried to get advantages through so-called “Körberlgeld” payments could also get into legal difficulties.

In a broader perspective, trust in the public service is shaken. Corruption endangers the principles of the rule of law and equal treatment and can threaten the attractiveness of a country as a business location. Accordingly, the [Austrian government] (https://oeffenterdienst.gv.at/fuer- Bundespermündte/korruptionSpraeVERMANT-MAUS-und-integrita/) carefully and has initiated initiatives for corruption prevention to create sensitization and awareness.

A code of conduct that has been developed by over 50 experts provides guidelines for the public service and is intended to help to better recognize and avoid situations at risk of corruption. Training and e-learning tools on corruption prevention are also part of these efforts. The aim is not only to train the employees, but also to restore the trust of the citizens into the integrity and transparency of the public service.

The next few months will show how the situation in St. Pölten develops and what legal steps are initiated against the accused. Until then, the presumption of innocence applies to everyone involved. The processing could be of far -reaching not only for those directly affected, but also for the city and its citizens.