In all probability, the man is to be tried in the fall for serious commercial extortion, fraud and possession of child pornographic material. A report by the “Oö. Volksblatt” (Saturday edition) confirmed spokesman Reinhard Steiner.
The ex-politician faces up to ten years in prison. In addition to the eleven known victims, there is also a “single-digit number of unknowns” from whom the man is said to have extorted Amazon vouchers worth 300 to 400 euros, said Steiner.
The cause came to light in June last year. The then city councilor is said to have posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online dating service for homosexuals. He sent stolen erotic photos and demanded pornographic shots from his contacts in return. With these he blackmailed his victims.
The OÖ Nachrichten reported:
A 55-year-old from the Gmunden district, who had sent the allegedly 15-year-old pictures and was then confronted with a demand for money, got the case rolling. Shortly after it became known, the red city councilor gave up all his political functions and also left the party.
The affair also had its own legal consequences for some of the victims of blackmail: According to investigations, charges of possession of child pornography had already been brought against them, Steiner reported.
Source: Nachrichten
