Mayor in court over attempted rape claim next year
A Peoples Party (ÖVP) mayor faces a trial over an alleged sex attack, it has emerged.Wilfried Berchtold, ÖVP Mayor of the city of Feldkirch, went on sick leave from his political position after a womans accusations were uncovered by local media earlier this year. Now the state prosecution of Feldkirch confirmed that Berchtold will be in court next year.The 56-year-old father-of-four took office as mayor of Vorarlbergs second-largest city in 1991. He is accused of having tried to rape a fellow ÖVP member during a party summit in autumn 2009.Berchtolds lawyer Karl Rümmele said today (Tues) his client was “deeply affected” by the news that prosecutors decided to press charges. He added: “Mister Berchtold is strongly convinced he is innocent and hopes for a fair trial.”