The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) accuses the three defendants of having helped a former EADS manager, already convicted in Germany in 2019, to set up a black money cash register at the expense of EADS using fake invoices, according to the indictment. According to the indictment from the WKStA, funds were distributed via Vector Aerospace LLP, which is said to have had no other business activity, 'to previously determined beneficiaries'. The indictment refers to 'weapons lobbyists, business representatives, and as yet unknown final recipients' as beneficiaries of the black money.
at reports that nearly 90 million euros ended up in the fund, which apparently served exclusively as a kind of 'black money cash register', while ORF News states that a total of about 65 million euros are said to have flowed from EADS towards Vector Aerospace LLP. To conceal bribe payments, business deals with shell companies specifically created for this purpose were simulated and fake contracts were used, according to investigations by law enforcement authorities. ) to secure the order from the Republic of Austria'.
They are alleged to have been involved in concluding fake contracts and fabricating fake invoices. A German former aviation manager accused in Vienna is alleged to have been jointly responsible for the operational implementation of payment outflows from EADS Deutschland GmbH to Vector Aerospace LLP. The lawyers of the trio rejected the allegations in their pleas.
Norbert Wess, the lawyer for the accused former aviation manager, described his client as a 'technology freak' who was convinced of the technical superiority of the Eurofighter jets. He was not involved in the events alleged against him. Wess pointed out that the entire Eurofighter case is 'very political'.
After the Republic's decision to buy the Eurofighters, there was a 'witch hunt against this award'. ' The lawyer for the first co-accused lobbyist argued in the same direction. The Public Prosecutor's Office (OStA) would have suffered reputational damage if it had not brought charges, according to the defender.
All defenders of the accused also raised formal legal concerns. The accused did not admit guilt in the investigation proceedings and stated that no damage had occurred. The accused also invoked statute of limitations.
Their objections to the indictment were rejected by the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) last December. The presumption of innocence applies to those affected. The German former manager has served his sentence.