Boss in court

Brazilian woman shamelessly exploited in pizzeria?

Serious human trafficking allegations against the former boss of a pizzeria in Tyrol: In 2021, the Brazilian-born woman (45) is said to have lured a woman from her home country to Tyrol to work in her restaurant for up to 12 hours a day for around a year, almost without pay.

"It wasn't like that," the defendant defended herself in court in Innsbruck. She had absolutely nothing to do with personnel agendas in the now insolvent business. "That was all done by my husband, he also made all the entrepreneurial and business decisions."

My husband helped her to come to Austria, for example.

Die Angeklagte vor Gericht

No expenses visible in the accounts
Nevertheless, she had seen the alleged victim "two to three times a week in the pizzeria", she stated. According to her statement, she did "unskilled work" there. She could not say whether she was paid for this: "According to the accounts, there were no expenses for her." However, there had probably been other services in return: "My husband helped her to come to Austria, for example, and tried to obtain citizenship for her in Italy". The deal and the treatment of her countrywoman was therefore "fair in a way".

Got away without a conviction
The judge finally suggested a diversion. "In the event of further evidence, a conviction could not be ruled out," he explained. After consulting with her defense lawyer, the woman finally gave in and agreed to diversion. "She accepts responsibility and is sorry," said the defense lawyer on her behalf. The fine associated with the diversion: 800 euros.