Suspicion of embezzlement

Four politicians are no longer under investigation

An anonymous complaint from people close to the company caused stormy times at Energie Ried.

(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger © Daniel Scharinger)

Huge relief at Ried town hall. Following last week's exonerating Court of Auditors report, the public prosecutor's office in Ried has now also dropped the investigation against Mayor Bernhard Zwielehner and his "deputies" Claudia Schoßleitner (both VP), Peter Stummer (SP) and Thomas Dim (FP).

The public prosecutor's office was investigating the mayor of Ried, Bernhard Zwielehner, and the deputy mayors Claudia Schoßleitner, Peter Stummer and Thomas Dim on suspicion of embezzlement. The investigation was triggered by an anonymous complaint - according to the public prosecutor's office "from people close to the company and anonymous whistleblowers" - regarding the following incidents in 2022: failure to close, appointment of a managing director and museum donation.

The proceedings have now been discontinued. According to the public prosecutor's office, the suspects did not engage in any criminal conduct whatsoever. On the contrary: the decisions and activities are clearly presented as correct and beneficial to the city of Ried.

The public prosecutor's report is like a Roman A in school.

Bernhard Zwielehner, ÖVP-Bürgermeister

In an initial reaction to this "acquittal", Zwielehner said: "The report by the public prosecutor's office is like a Roman A in school. Such a report could not be any more exonerating for us as accused persons." Neither the procurement processes incriminated by an anonymous whistleblower in 2022 nor the appointment of Managing Director Fritz Pöttinger nor the museum donation are in any way to be discussed, according to the public prosecutor's office in Ried.

Satisfaction on the part of Energie Ried
Fritz Pöttinger, Managing Director of Energie Ried, is satisfied that all controversy regarding his appointment has now been cleared up: "It is good to have it confirmed with such clarity that the procedures and decisions were correct and honest in all respects for the benefit of Energie Ried and the town. And those who apparently tried to harm us have failed. Personal consequences and an apology are to be expected."