Ex-meinel bank boss Weinzierl: Detection for $ 170 million bribery!

Ex-meinel bank boss Weinzierl: Detection for $ 170 million bribery!

Wien, Österreich - Peter Weinzierl, the former chief of Meinl Bank, is currently in custody in the USA due to serious money laundering allegations. He was arrested in Great Britain on Tuesday, at the request of the US authorities, which initiated extensive investigations against him. The FBI is investigating in Vienna and has submitted evidence to the US public prosecutor, which could play a crucial role in the procedure. Weinzierl is accused of being involved in the Odebrecht-Schmiergeldkandal, in which bribes of around $ 170 million are said to have flowed through Meinl Bank Antigua. This information reports that the money was primarily transferred to government officials in Brazil, Mexico and Panama.

The trial against Weinzierl is scheduled for July 23, 2023 after the original date, which fell on July 18, was postponed by the judge to give the lawyers more time to prepare. The allegations against him include not only money laundering, but also tax evasion. Weinzierl rejected all the accusations, and his lawyer, Christof Dunst, is surprised by the arrest.

Investigations and allegations

The investigation that runs against Weinzierl in both the USA and Austria revolves around comprehensive corruption and money laundering practices, which lasted over a decade. Weinzierl and another accused, who is known as Alexander W., are said to have washed large sums together with Odebrecht and other actors between 2006 and 2016. The US public prosecutor assumes that the two men have transferred money from New York bank accounts to offshore accounts that were controlled by Odebrecht. In the event of a conviction, high prison terms could threaten: Weinzierl up to 70 years and Alexander W. up to 60 years.

The Vienna Economic and Corruption Prosecutor (WKStA) has also been investigating Weinzierl and other actors in connection with the same allegations for years. However, it should be noted that this determination is not directly connected to Weinzierl's arrest in Great Britain. In Austria, a total of seven people and an association are determined for money laundering and bribery in connection with Odebrecht.

The context of international investigations

The Odebrecht scandal is a far-reaching example of international corruption and money laundering that is organized across borders. In this context, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (Eusta) has also achieved success in the investigation of such ahead in June 2021. This authority has set itself the goal of pursuing cross -border crimes in Europe, while national public prosecutors remain responsible for purely national cases.

The Weinzierl case shows how complex the investigation is in such cases, since encrypted means of communication and international entanglement make it clear. Current developments illustrate the need to improve cooperation between the various law enforcement authorities in order to be able to act more effectively against international economic crime. The challenges that are in combating money laundering are complex and require a coordinated procedure on different levels.