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23. 11. 12. - 13:00

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23. 11. 12. - 13:00

African Aid con exposed by taxman

An Austrian man is accused of pocketing 2.7 million Euro Euros worth of charity money after setting up a charity collecting aid of Africa.

The 45-year-old man from Styria is accused of pocketing the money.

But the vast majority was used to pay for the 'day to day running' of the charity, and tax investigators suspicious at the man's luxury lifestyle found that from the 2.7 million Euros - none could be confirmed as having gone to Africa.

The man denies fraud, saying that 140,000 Euros had been handed over as cash, although he had no receipt.

The scandal was uncovered by the Finance Ministry when they were looking into the Styrian man's finances. They found that his earnings did not fit with his jet set lifestyle.

According to a report in the Austrian daily the 'Kleine Zeitung' the man admitted withdrawing money from the charity. Taxmen have now reported the man on charges of fraud.

It is alleged he pocketed around 400,000 Euros and then used an additional 2.1 million Euros for the running of the charity.

Police are also investigating claims that a 49-year-old Vienna man was receiving 1,000 Euro per month from the charity.

The man from Graz founded the charity in Graz and then the man in Vienna founded a charity in Vienna with help of the Graz man.

The charity in Graz has been dissolved and the man in Vienna has now taken a back seat form the company.

Investigations are continuing.

Vienna Times

Long Night of the Churches
Hundreds of churches Austria-wide to open their doors for the "Long Night of the Churches" (original: "Langen Nacht der Kirchen") on May, 24.

Cheapskate Tourist Almost Died In Sewer Visit
A German tourist had a lucky escape after he decided to go underground to get a view of the Vienna sewers, and fell badly breaking several bones including his hip and his leg.

Preparation for Life Ball begins
The preparations of the Life Ball in Vienna are at full blast after delays due to bad weather last weekend. Star guests like Eva Longoria and Carmen Electra are expected at Vienna Airport on Friday.

Woman killed by Vienna tram
A female pedestrian tried to cross a street in Vienna Hietzing yesterday afternoon (Tues) without paying attention to the traffic. She was hit by the tram number 60 and died at the scene.

15 minutes free parking instead of 10
The 15-minute parking ticket will replace the 10-minute parking ticket in autumn. The only alternative is to buy your parking ticket with your phone. A parking clock does not protect you from a fine.

Lightning storm causes damage in Lower Austria
810 lightning strikes have been counted in Lower Austria last night (Tues). Meteorologists state that this is not an extraordinary number but some lightning strikes resulted in fires. The fire brigade had to set out in several towns.

Spanish Riding School for everyone
The riding centre of Heldenberg, district of Hollabrunn (Lower Austria) is now offering exclusive courses: professional riders of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna teach interested riders.

Vienna advocates a ban on pesticides
Vienna has now joined those Austrian states that advocate a cooperative strategy for a ban of the neonicotinoids pesticides. Apparently, there are tested alternatives for the pesticides that are harmful for bees.

Huge debate over multilingualism in Austria
Possible projects for a "multilingual oriented educational concept" have led to a debate in Vienna. The SPÖ, ÖVP and FPÖ are currently discussing the two sides of the issue: "multilingualism as a chance" and "German as a priority".

Exhibition Drawing Against Oblivion
The Leopold Museum in Vienna opened the the exhibition "Drawing against oblivion" on 17 May. Manfred Bockelmann drew more than 60 portraits of children and teenagers, who were victims of the Nazi terror.