Top civil servant criticized - "Toolbox" with tax tips for the super-rich? Ministry of Finance draws consequences
The Federal Ministry of Finance is reviewing its rules of conduct for secondary employment of civil servants. The background to this is the ZDF documentary "Die geheime Welt der Superreichen - Das Milliardenspiel" (The secret world of the super-rich - the billion-dollar game), in which, among other things, a high-ranking civil servant is reported to have taken part as a speaker at an event at which tips on avoiding taxes were presented. A spokeswoman explained on Tuesday that this was a long-standing head of department at the Ministry of Finance. "Possible consequences under civil service law are currently being examined." In addition, Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has commissioned a review of the rules of conduct.
Secondary employment must be reported to the ministry as the employer and in many cases is also subject to approval, the spokesperson explained. There are limits on time and remuneration.
Civil servant allegedly offered super-rich "toolbox" for tax avoidance
According to the ZDF investigation, the official spoke at the event about, among other things, highly topical reform plans that could make tax avoidance more difficult. She reportedly told the tax experts that they could "reassure" their clients. In the documentation, she is quoted as follows: "We have toolboxes, at least I have a lot of them. I am one hundred percent sure that you can sleep peacefully in this respect. It can't be that suddenly on January 1st the revenue is gushing in. I see all the finance ministers with thalers in their eyes like Scrooge McDuck, that can't be right. You can reassure your clients."
The Greens and SPD are demanding consequences for the top official and effective rules of conduct, while Green budget politician Bruno Hönel called for her dismissal in the "Tagesspiegel".
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The allegations against the high-ranking civil servant at the Federal Ministry of Finance, who reportedly offered tax avoidance strategies at a BMF-linked event, have sparked calls for consequences and improved rules of conduct. The spokeswoman for the ministry confirmed that this individual served as a long-term department head and that potential consequences under civil service law are being examined.
Source: www.stern.de
