Unusual case

Supervisor blackmailed to force promotion

A 43-year-old magistrate's employee is said to have blackmailed the director.(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

An unusual case was heard at the regional court in Wels on Monday. A 43-year-old municipal employee is said to have blackmailed the director. His aim was to pragmatize his own position (make it non-terminable) and to promote four colleagues. However, the judge deemed himself incompetent - the case was adjourned.

A municipal employee in Wels (43) allegedly tried to blackmail his superior, municipal director Peter Franzmayr, by destroying his economic existence and social position. In doing so, he wanted to make himself irredeemable and get four of his colleagues a better position. 

Anonymous emails and alias
He sent the threats by email under an alias. If the magistrate director refused, the accused would disclose unspecified facts and images and make them publicly accessible - according to the indictment. 

No memory 
However, the magistrate director did not back down and informed the police. Although the accused had used an anonymous email address, he quickly became a suspect due to the telephone number he had provided. When questioned, he stated that he could not remember whether he had sent the blackmail letter due to alcohol abuse.

Up to five years in prison
The public prosecutor's office in Wels brought charges of aggravated coercion and blackmail. If convicted, the 43-year-old faces six months to five years in prison. However, the trial has been adjourned. The reason: the single judge declared that he did not have jurisdiction. According to the judge, the case was not only about the offense of extortion, as stated in the criminal complaint, but even about aggravated extortion, for which a lay jury court is responsible.

The public prosecutor and defense attorney did not comment on the judge's decision.