Image: APA/Sandra Oblak
The Vienna public prosecutor had been investigating Michael Putz, founder and majority owner of the Corona test kit provider Lead Horizon, for a full eight months. The allegations weighed heavily: Among other things, he had committed infidelity, it said in two advertisements. Damage of more than 300,000 euros was caused.
But now the allegations made against Putz by the former managing director and minority owner Christoph Steininger, who was dismissed because of alleged misconduct, have proven to be unfounded. The prosecution discontinued the investigation. Accordingly, there was “no actual reason for further prosecution,” according to the extensive, 39-page justification for the termination.
“I’m very relieved. A big weight fell from my heart. The allegations were far-fetched,” says Putz in an interview with OÖN. All his actions were always “for the benefit of the entire company,” emphasizes the Bad Ischler native. “You lead a company to a tremendously high level and then you get pilloried.” Lead Horizon’s goal was “to relieve the burden on the healthcare system and save tax money”. After his dismissal, Steininger “led a revenge campaign out of “offended vanity”. However, Putz wants to refrain from taking legal action in order to look to the future.
Lead Horizon will be dissolved
The entrepreneur wants to get out of the business with corona tests. “The business purpose was to fight the pandemic as quickly as possible,” says Putz. The tests were able to break chains of infection and thus save lives. The WHO has already revised that Corona is still an emergency. Lead Horizon should therefore be dissolved as a company this year, according to the company founder. Lead Horizon’s throat tests were also offered in Upper Austria in the districts of Linz, Vöcklabruck and Gmunden.
The entrepreneur with roots in Ischl would like to get involved in other areas in the future. There are a few “exciting projects,” says Michael Putz. For example, heat pumps for rental apartments.
Source: Nachrichten
