Trial in Berlin - The accused confessed to illegal work.
Due to the allegation of long-term underground work** in a Berlin construction company, a 47-year-old is facing trial at the Berlin Regional Court. The public prosecutor's office estimates damages of around 15 million euros. As the managing director, he is accused of not registering employees or only partially registering them with social security agencies. Furthermore, he allegedly only recorded and reported a fraction of the actual working hours in the payroll accounting, with cash payments being made for the black wages. The 47-year-old admitted to the charges and expressed regret for his actions.
The charges include withholding and misappropriation of wages, tax evasion, and fraud. A total of 118 criminal offenses between March 2016 and May 2020 are attributed to the former CEO of a construction company based in Berlin. The indictment states that he aimed to "avoid contributions, fees, and other payment obligations to the detriment of the public."
Employees were full-time but registered as part-time with the relevant authorities, according to the public prosecutor's office. Another part of the employees was employed with only fictitiously registered subcontractors, while another part was employed completely "underground," without any social security registration. The managing director used fake invoices to conceal the fraud.
The defendant is now trying to make amends
The 47-year-old stated that he is "deeply aware that his actions have harmed the public." He is now trying to make amends for the damage.
The defendant was arrested after lengthy investigations in January of this year and was released on bail after about two months. His company is now in insolvency. The public prosecutor's office is seeking the confiscation of proceeds of crime amounting to around 15 million euros in total. The trial will continue on August 15.
The construction company where the allegations occurred is based in Berlin, as stated in the indictment.To assist in making amends, the defendant is working to rectify the incorrect registrations made by the construction company.
