Freiburg businessman faces trial for €248,000 fraud and wage theft scheme
A 49-year-old businessman will stand trial at Freiburg District Court on March 30, 2026, for fraud and wage theft. The case involves unpaid social security contributions, stolen wages, and illegally obtained COVID-19 relief funds. Proceedings will begin at 9 a.m. before a lay judges' court. Investigators allege that the defendant ran a Freiburg-based company where 25 workers were employed off the books. Between March 2020 and November 2021, he failed to register them with social security authorities. This resulted in unpaid contributions totalling around €188,000.
During the same period, the man is accused of repeatedly withholding and embezzling wages from his employees. Authorities also claim he submitted false information to secure approximately €60,000 in emergency COVID-19 subsidies. The funds were meant for struggling businesses but were obtained through fraudulent declarations.
The trial will examine multiple charges, including subsidy fraud, wage theft, and social security violations. If convicted, the defendant could face penalties for the combined offences. The court has scheduled the hearing for March 30, 2026, with a panel of lay judges overseeing the case.
