Canon expressed relief after being acquitted of abuse of office and bribery charges on 23 January: “We are very happy and are going to celebrate now. Hawai’dere!” he said. The Viennese ex-planning spokesman for the Green Party was accused by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKSTA) of favoring well-known real estate entrepreneurs in return for favors. He is said to have donated to an association founded by Chorher in South Africa so that influential politicians could help him realize his projects.
Christophe Chorreher had always denied the allegations. And he was also acquitted by the witnesses in the trial. However, prosecutors stuck to their guns and had already rejected any diversion through “official channels”: “Think Austrians!” the government lawyer asked the jury in his plea.
Canon has been a fascination among the Greens in Vienna since the early 1990s. The qualified economist served as club president and spokesperson for the Environment Party. As planning spokesperson, he was in close contact with then planning councilor and deputy mayor Maria Vassilkou. Chorher is said to have used this proximity to influence several real estate projects in the city.
