36 million in damages

“Alt-Wien” case: children knew nothing about fraud

The first verdicts have been reached in the fraud trial against the former operator (81) of the "Alt-Wien" kindergartens and his family. Or rather acquittals: the four adult children knew nothing about the millions they spent.

The controversial fraud trial surrounding the "Alt-Wien" kindergartens has been going on for six months. At the center is the now 81-year-old former founder and operator of the association. However, he shares the dock in Vienna's regional court with his four adult children. They are also alleged to have been involved in the alleged million-dollar fraud.

Cars, riding stable and massage chair financed
From 2009 onwards, the elderly first defendant allegedly pretended to run a non-profit association for seven years, receiving full funding for the kindergartens. He unlawfully received 36 million euros in taxpayers' money - 16 of which were in turn misappropriated. According to the WKStA, this had nothing to do with charitable status. The 81-year-old is accused of serious fraud, embezzlement and fraudulent crida.

Lawyer Lukas Kollmann is defending three of the four acquitted defendants.(Bild: Kanzlei KollmannWolm)

The four adult children are said to have made a nice life for themselves with the millions: Several properties, luxury cars, a riding stable, fur coats, a massage chair and much more were financed. The charge is money laundering. Defense lawyer Lukas Kollmann counters: "For money laundering, you would have to know that the funds came from a crime. And they didn't know that."

The panel of lay judges in Vienna agrees: non-appealable acquittals for the second generation of the kindergarten clan. The WKStA does not make a statement for the time being. Defense lawyer Lukas Kollmann told the "Krone" newspaper: "My clients are very relieved to have finally brought these years of proceedings to a close." However, the first accused father - who has pleaded not guilty - is still being tried.