Former tax office worker convicted for accessing acquaintances’ tax data

A former employee of the tax office in Innsbruck has been convicted of abuse of office after accessing the personal tax data of acquaintances without a work-related reason, ORF reported. She received a suspended prison sentence and a fine.

The 57-year-old, who had no previous convictions, admitted her guilt in court. She accessed the tax records of nine people 30 times without their knowledge or consent. The conduct came to light after an anonymous complaint.

The motive remained unclear after the hearing, although curiosity was considered a possible explanation.

The judge at Innsbruck Regional Court said that public administration employees who access personal data without an official necessity commit abuse of office. Public trust in the administration was an important value that had to be protected, the judge said. The law provides for prison sentences of between six months and five years for abuse of official authority.

The woman was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended, and an unconditional fine of 5,400 euros. The verdict is final. She no longer works for the tax office and was dismissed.