Vienna: Former Director of Senior Residence Acquitted

The Allegations in Detail

The trial had begun on April 29. At the start of the proceedings, the defendant rejected all charges. She described her duties as "Abrechnung, die Verwaltung, die Vertretung nach außen" and stated: "Es ist mir nicht gesagt worden, dass ich für die Pflege zuständig sein muss." She said she had been "nur fürs Kaufmännische zuständig gewesen" and had no training in the care field, having instead studied health management.

During the taking of evidence, numerous structural deficiencies became apparent. "Es wären zahlreiche Missstände festgestellt worden - zu wenig Personal, zuviel Fremdpersonal, zu wenig Fachpersonal, Hygiene- und Dokumentationsmängel", it was stated. Internal conflicts also played a role, according to this account: "Auch Teamstreitigkeiten hätten dann dazu geführt, dass der eine nicht gewusst hätte, was der andere tut, und sich die Leute dann auch gegenseitig die Schuld in die Schuhe geschoben hätten."

Structural Deficiencies in the Home

The forensic medical expert Nikolaus Klupp was unable, according to his account in the proceedings, to definitively clarify whether the documented care deficiencies were attributable to the home's structural deficits or to the already poor state of health of the residents. This uncertainty proved central to the court's finding.

On the final day of the trial, the CEO of the home's operator in Germany testified as a witness. He stated that he had not known about the deficiencies. When he was informed of the accusations, he said, he had been surprised. Addressing the court, he emphasized: "Wenn so eine Aussage kommt, muss man sofort handeln". At the same time, he maintained that the director had been responsible for all areas and that the requirements had been set out in the job description, "daraufhin wurde die geeignete Person, die diese Qualifikationen mitbringt, eingestellt".

Reasoning for the Acquittal

The presiding judge justified the acquittal with the degree of certainty required for a conviction: "Durch die Beweise hätte nicht mit erforderlicher Sicherheit eine Straftat festgestellt werden können, sagte die Richterin in ihrer Urteilsbegründung." At the same time, she addressed the defendant directly: "Aber Sie hatten da die Letztverantwortung". She pointed out that identified deficiencies must be reported. The judge described the uncovered care deficits as a cause for concern for society as a whole: "Das ist bestürzend, gerade wenn die Gesellschaft immer älter wird."

Consequences for Those Affected and the Home

Dozens of affected senior citizens in need of care were placed in other care facilities through the mediation of the Fonds Soziales Wien (Vienna Social Fund). The home itself ceased operations because the lease was not renewed. The operator had explained at the time that "für einen Weiterbetrieb wäre eine Generalsanierung erforderlich gewesen, die bei laufendem Betrieb unmöglich sei".

The public prosecutor's office can appeal the verdict; the verdict is not yet final. At the same time, the case casts a spotlight on the structural conditions of inpatient elderly care in Vienna - from staffing ratios and qualification requirements to the question of who within a facility bears which responsibility. Even if the specific charge against the former director was insufficient for a conviction, the deficiencies remain an independent, officially documented problem.

The civil-law processing and possible consequences for the affected residents are independent of the criminal proceedings. Observers expect that the case will spur debate beyond the individual case about supervision, control, and quality assurance in Vienna's care landscape.