The suspended section chief in the Ministry of Justice, Christian Pilnacek, was again responsible to the federal disciplinary authority today. The negotiation is about the temporary release from his duties issued by the Ministry of Justice.
The authority checks whether the reasons for the disciplinary measure last confirmed by the Administrative Court (VwGH) are still valid. Pilnacek defended himself again today against the allegations.
Pilnacek was suspended in February 2021 due to various allegations. Among other things, he is said to have revealed a house search and “put” official secrets to a journalist. In addition, he is said to have advised the then head of cabinet in the Ministry of Finance via chat message to lodge an appeal against a house search carried out by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) in the Ministry of Finance and a complaint against the responsible clerks.
Everything was a purely friendly exchange, Pilnacek assured according to Ö1-Mittagsjournal at the hearing before the disciplinary authority. He denied that it could have been legal advice to the closest associate of a finance minister. In this case, it would have taken the official route without his involvement.
