Austrian Justice Ministry seeks disciplinary action against lawyer Dieter Böhmdorfer

The Austrian Ministry of Justice has requested the Vienna Bar Association to initiate disciplinary proceedings against lawyer Dieter Böhmdorfer. The move follows Böhmdorfer's claims in an August interview that the judiciary frequently leaks files to the media.

The Ministry stated that such unsubstantiated allegations undermine trust in the rule of law. Böhmdorfer, who represents former Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser, used these claims to justify why he submitted a statement of facts directly to the head of the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office rather than through standard channels.

The controversy stems from an attempt to reopen the BUWOG case involving Grasser. The defense had previously alleged misconduct and bribery by Judge Marion Hohenecker, based on emails provided by an informant. However, investigations revealed the emails were forged and the informant is currently being investigated for fraud and defamation.