People - New investigations against star chef Alfons Schuhbeck
New accusations against Alfons Schuhbeck: The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating Alfons Schuhbeck for insolvency fraud and fraud in connection with Corona-Aid. According to the Munich Mercur and tz (Friday edition), the spokesperson of the Public Prosecutor, Anne Leiding, confirmed the investigations on Thursday in response to an inquiry. The investigations are reportedly nearing their end, and the proceedings could be closed soon. Schuhbeck's lawyer Norbert Scharf declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the German Press Agency.
Judgment for tax evasion of 2.3 million Euro
Last year, Schuhbeck began serving his sentence for tax evasion. The Munich I Regional Court sentenced him to three years and two months in prison. The court was convinced that he had evaded paying 2.3 million Euro in taxes and had withdrawn more than 1000 times from the cash registers of two of his restaurants to hide the money. He admitted to using a computer program that an employee had created for him.
Schuhbeck is reportedly a free man now
Initially, Schuhbeck was detained in the Landsberg am Lech Justice Detention Center, and later in an external facility of the JVA in the Andechser district of Rothenfeld. The last officially confirmed information about his situation after entering prison was reported by "Bild," which stated that Schuhbeck was granted parole and could temporarily leave the JVA. Neither the JVA management nor Schuhbeck's lawyer commented on his living conditions and current situation after that.
He cooked for the Queen and the Beatles
Schuhbeck was a fixture in the Munich Bussi-Bussi Society for years. He entertained celebrities and became one himself. He cooked for the Queen, the Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, and the FC Bayern Munchen, and became one of the most famous chefs and restaurateurs in the Republic.
His name was a brand for years. Schuhbeck built a business empire with three restaurants, a catering service, an ice cream parlor, and spice shops. He worked 19 hours a day, as he said at his 70th birthday five years ago. However, Schuhbeck fell from grace. He filed for insolvency for his Munich restaurants, and last year, an insolvency proceeding was opened against him personally.
Only the spice shops remain of the former gastronomic empire. Schuhbeck gave cooking classes in the Munich shop until shortly before his imprisonment.
Schuhbeck 2022: "I have made many mistakes"
"I have made many mistakes," Schuhbeck said in court in 2022 before he eventually made a more extensive confession. "I have deceived my friends, acquaintances, and even my defenders, because I didn't want to admit that I had failed as an entrepreneur." In the trial, he also said, "If I could undo it, I would do so immediately." And, "I stand before the ruins of my life's work."
- The German Press Agency reported on the ongoing investigation by Munich Public Prosecutor's Office I against Alfons Schuhbeck for insolvency fraud and Corona-Aid fraud.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office's spokesperson, Anne Leiding, confirmed the investigations in response to an inquiry, revealing that the proceedings could be closed soon.
- Schuhbeck's lawyer, Norbert Scharf, declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the German Press Agency.
- Last year, Schuhbeck was sentenced to three years and two months in prison by the Munich I Regional Court for tax evasion of 2.3 million Euro.
- The investigations into tax evasion allegations against Schuhbeck came to light in 2020, when the German Press Agency reported on the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office I's probe into his financial dealings.
- Despite serving his sentence, Schuhbeck remains a significant figure in the German hospitality industry with his spice shops still operational in Munich.
- In 2022, Schuhbeck expressed remorse in court, admitting numerous mistakes and failure as an entrepreneur, while also acknowledging that he had deceived his friends, acquaintances, and defenders.
- The Munich Mercury and tz (Friday edition) also reported on the same investigation, revealing that Schuhbeck had withdrawn more than 1000 times from cash registers of his restaurants to hide the money.
- The investigation into Schuhbeck's alleged insolvency fraud and fraud in connection with Corona-Aid is a highly-anticipated case in Bavaria, as it raises questions about the accountability of prominent figures and their handling of help provided during the Coronavirus pandemic.
