Carinthian dentist fined 90,000 euros after partial conviction

A dentist from Carinthia was convicted of one count of bodily injury and two counts of fraud at Graz Criminal Court on Wednesday and fined 90,000 euros, ORF reported. The ruling is not final.

The court acquitted him of the remaining charges, applying the principle of reasonable doubt. Prosecutors had accused him of carrying out unnecessary treatments and submitting inflated claims to social insurance providers. The indictment put the alleged overbilling at 51,000 euros, while the Austrian Health Insurance Fund and the insurance institution for public employees, railways and mining joined the case with claims totalling 2.6 million euros.

The dentist maintained his innocence, and his lawyers sought an acquittal. The trial has occupied the justice system since 2017, and a professional ban has been in place against the Klagenfurt-based dentist for the same period. The case was transferred to Graz five years ago after concerns that the Klagenfurt Regional Court could be biased.

The court also rejected defence requests for additional evidence, including calls to hear new witnesses. The motions totalled 38 pages. Earlier in the hearing, a defence lawyer and an expert witness argued heatedly before the judge intervened.