Investigation Results in Arrest Warrant for Lars Windhorst
Lars Windhorst, a former Hertha BSC investor, finds himself in legal trouble once again. This time, it's regarding an insolvency case in Hannover. Windhorst hasn't shown up for a court hearing, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. However, he intends to join a meeting tomorrow in Schleswig-Holstein.
The insolvency court in Hannover has issued an arrest warrant for Lars Windhorst. A spokesperson for the district court in Hannover confirmed the news. Windhorst is alleged to have not met his obligations during a bankruptcy procedure for a subsidiary of his holding company. According to the court, Windhorst, who they deem as the de facto managing director of the company, didn't attend a hearing on April 22 without a valid reason. The arrest warrant was released on May 23. Windhorst has since appealed against the arrest warrant.
The case involving Windhorst centers around the Ihme Center, a multi-purpose facility in Hannover that consists of residential, office, and retail spaces. Windhorst took over parts of the dilapidated property in 2019. After a planned renovation, Windhorst wanted to sell his stake in the center for a profit. However, last summer, his holding company stopped making payments. The other shareholders subsequently filed for bankruptcy.
Windhorst is expected to provide information on the structure of the impacted companies and present receipts showing payments he's supposedly made during the court hearing. He must also surrender keys still in his possession. A spokesperson for Windhorst's Tennor Group confirmed that an appeal had been filed against the arrest warrant. The spokesperson referred to the arrest warrant as a "pressure tool" from the court, aimed at forcing Windhorst to cooperate. Windhorst denies the allegations, claiming that he did fulfill his participation obligations. Discussions will take place between the court and the insolvency administrator regarding this issue.
Troubled Past in Schleswig-Holstein
Windhorst's history is riddled with scandals and bankruptcies, and his foray into the world of sports investment is no exception. His illustrious career began with him being dubbed the "wonder child" and accompanying Helmut Kohl on foreign trips. His involvement with the Hertha BSC football club led to a long-standing dispute with the team management and caused significant financial losses. It was two years ago that Windhorst sold his Hertha shares.
Currently, there are more accusations coming out of Schleswig-Holstein, where Windhorst took over the majority stake in the FSG, a company primarily owned by his Tennor Holding, three years ago. The Nobiskrug shipyard, a manufacturer of luxury yachts, was acquired. The company is still facing financial difficulties. Windhorst also failed to deliver on promised orders. According to reports, employees haven't received their wages in some instances.
Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister, Daniel Günther, criticized Windhorst for not fulfilling his commitments. "In Schleswig-Holstein, people care about fulfilling promises. It's high time for Mr. Windhorst to take action," Günther said. Despite the arrest warrant, Windhorst promised to attend a meeting at the shipyard on Wednesday.
