Corruption scandal in the Remscheid job center: Employees under suspicion

Corruption scandal in the Remscheid job center: Employees under suspicion

in Remscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia, an employee of the job center is the focus of corruption investigations. According to stern.de , the 44-year-old is accused of offering money payments.

A affected woman contacted the management of the job center and reported on a telephone offer of the employee. The employee offered to accept 1500 euros to secure the continuation of previously exposed cash benefits. These were suspended because her husband had taken on an independent job.

Investigations and searches

The matter was taken seriously quickly. The Federal Agency of Labor informed the public prosecutor's office in Wuppertal about the suspicion of corruption. On March 20, the accused's apartment was searched by the police, with a mobile phone being secured. The Wuppertal public prosecutor's office leads the investigation, whereby it is actively supported by the compliance department of the Federal Employment Department, such as

legal consequences

The accused threatens a prison sentence of six months to five years in the event of a conviction. This could be done in accordance with Section 332 (1) of the Criminal Code, which punishes bribery if civil servants violate their duties. According to Haufe are such acts in the public service that can also lead to a loss of civil servant relationship.

The general ban on civil servants to accept discounts also applies to small attentions. These regulations are crucial for trust in state institutions. Corruption endangers the impartiality of the administration and it is expected that suitable prevention measures, such as a "multi-eye principle", are expected.

The current processes in the Remscheid job center are not only an isolated case, but also leads a light on the importance of compliance and corruption prevention in the public sector.