Ex-politician Klaus Riegert did not declare additional earnings and, according to the district court’s ruling, made himself a fraudster Photo: Mofoto
By Anne Losensky
Klaus Riegert (64) is said to have concealed lucrative additional income from the tax office after his time as a member of the Bundestag, a total of 181,000 euros. Now he has been found guilty of fraud.
Tiergarten District Court. Criminal case 232b 14/23. Accused: Ex-politician Klaus Riegert. As a fraudster.
From 1992 to 2013, the career police officer from Baden-Württemberg sat in the Bundestag for the CDU. Diligent (sports policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group). Highly decorated (Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon). Popular (captain of “FC Bundestag”, 303 goals).
And then this: accused of being a normal fraudster! The former MP is said to have filled his pockets. From November 2016 to March 2021, he concealed lucrative additional income by receiving old-age allowances in accordance with the Members of Parliament Act. Which he would have had to declare (like every social welfare recipient). Which made him 181,000 euros richer!
The defendant (now an executive at a large clinic) says: “I didn’t know you had to declare that!” He paid back the damage.
An official (50) from the Members’ Care Department: “It was the first case, we’ve never had anything like it before.”
There are almost 1,500 pension recipients in the Bundestag. They are allowed to earn extra money, but only up to a certain amount. Further proceedings are pending before the administrative court.
The public prosecutor is demanding a fine of 14,400 euros. The defense acquitted. Judgment in the name of the people: “The defendant is guilty of fraud,” says the judge, “he is warned.”
A fine of 90 daily rates of 160 euros “remains reserved,” says the judge. The former MP can appeal or revise the conviction.