Posting with consequences

Former lobbyist threatens minimum pensioner with legal action

Kurt Kaltenböck had to pay €1,200 for a comment – a lot of money for someone on a minimum pension.(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

Kurt Kaltenböck, a 65-year-old resident of Ansfeld (Upper Austria), paid €1,200 to avoid a lawsuit against convicted ex-lobbyist Peter Hochegger. The reason for this was a Facebook post by the minimum pensioner, which the businessman considered to be an insult to his honor. 

"Following Hochegger's sometimes very cynical and (sic) statements and comments, he continues to mock the people and the ORF gives him the stage to do so" – this Facebook post under an ORF article on April 15 last year is costing Kurt Kaltenböck (65) from Ansfelden dearly. He has taken on a powerful opponent: Peter Hochegger – a "well-known entrepreneur and successful PR consultant throughout Austria," as his lawyer writes.