Austrian Greens call for probe of new Commissioner

(VIENNA) - Austria's Green party has called for an inquiry into the EU's next commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, for his alleged involvement in a fraudulent property deal in June 1997.

Green deputy Peter Pilz said Hahn, Austria's outgoing science and research minister and former chairman of the casino and betting company Novomatic, was present during a pay-off related to the six-million-schilling (436,000-euro, 657,000-dollar) deal for his firm in June 1997.

Hahn has denied the accusations.

The owner of the property told the Austria Press Agency on Wednesday that he had received eight million schillings for his house, even though the official price in the contract had been six million.

The extra two million schillings were given to him in cash before the contract was signed, he said, confirming that Hahn was present when the money was handed over.

"The money was paid to me, I stand by that," the owner told APA, adding however that the statute of limitations for the case had expired.

The two million schillings may have been taken from the company's accounts officially and may not have been illegal, he added.

Pilz has called for an inquiry over whether the finance authorities examined the case at the time.

"It is absolutely necessary to clear up this issue in Vienna, before it becomes an issue in Brussels," he said.