VIENNA, April 1, 2026
Former Austrian Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser is facing private bankruptcy proceedings with creditors filing claims exceeding €30 million against him, including substantial demands from the Republic of Austria and a former business associate.
The largest creditor is the Republic of Austria, which has filed claims totaling approximately €12.7 million for damages related to the Buwog corruption trial and an additional €7.9 million in tax claims. Separately, Karl Petrikovics, former CEO of Immofinanz, has lodged a conditional claim of around €12.5 million against Grasser.
Grasser, who served seven months in prison before his release in January 2026, remains under electronic surveillance. The bankruptcy proceedings mark the latest legal challenge for the ex-minister, who was convicted in the Buwog case involving fraudulent property deals during his tenure.
The claims against Grasser were compiled by multiple creditors, including the state and private entities, according to sources familiar with the proceedings. No further details about the bankruptcy hearing were immediately available.
Grasser, a prominent figure in Austrian politics during the early 2000s, previously served as finance minister under the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and People’s Party (ÖVP) coalition government. His legal troubles stem from corruption investigations spanning over a decade.