Prosecutors investigate Bludenz mayor and two town hall employees

Prosecutors have confirmed further investigations involving Bludenz Mayor Simon Tschann and two town hall employees, ORF Vorarlberg reported. Tschann is being investigated over the clubhouse of the Bludenz Funkenzunft association, while the employees face allegations linked to a separate construction case.

The investigation into Tschann concerns suspected abuse of office in connection with the association’s clubhouse. Prosecutors said the case also appears to involve a construction matter.

The two municipal employees are suspected of false testimony and attempted favoritism in connection with a construction project on Fohrenburgstraße. Prosecutors are also examining whether one employee contributed to the mayor’s alleged abuse of office.

The employees allegedly invented a regular meeting with Tschann at which the project was supposedly approved. The Supreme Court has ruled that Tschann falsely claimed to the state ombudsman and the district authority that an official expert had approved the project. Prosecutors allege the employees backed up that claim by saying the meeting had taken place.

The Supreme Court’s ruling upholding Tschann’s conviction for abuse of office in the construction case became final on Monday.