Municipal Employee Detained on Suspicion of Embezzlement - Municipal employee arrested in embezzlement and bribery scandal shaking Dietzhoelztal
An employee of Dietzhoelztal municipality has been arrested on suspicion of embezzlement and bribery. The individual, now in pretrial detention, allegedly caused significant financial damage to the municipality. The Limburg prosecutor's office and Giessen Criminal Investigation Directorate are leading the ongoing investigation.
The arrest warrant was issued due to fears of evidence tampering before the suspect's arrest on Wednesday. The suspect is accused of breach of trust, accepting bribes, and attempting to influence witnesses. The investigation was triggered by tips from within the municipal administration and an anonymous letter.
The suspect is believed to have misled the municipality's internal accounting department about the intended use of funds. They allegedly procured construction materials and goods for personal gain, resulting in a five-figure sum in euros of financial damage. Multiple properties, including municipal offices and private residences, were searched on May 8, 2023, as part of the investigation.
A second suspect is under investigation for allegations of corrupt advantage-taking, though there is no information suggesting a connection to the Dietzhoelztal municipality case. The investigation continues, with the Limburg prosecutor's office and Giessen Criminal Investigation Directorate working to uncover the full extent of the suspected corruption.
