Ex-City Employee Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Over €300,000 from Frankfurt and Main-Taunus County
Introduction
A former employee of the City of Frankfurt and the Main-Taunus district has admitted to embezzling more than €318,800 over a four-year period. The 56-year-old woman admitted to the crimes at the start of her trial in the Frankfurt Regional Court.
Background
The woman worked as a clerk responsible for disbursing funds to day care providers at the Frankfurt City School Office from 2015. During this time, she is alleged to have reactivated the data of former day care mothers and provided a family bank account for their supposed services. Additionally, she created fictitious data for alleged day care providers, again using her own bank details.
Fraudulent Activities
Between 2017 and 2019, the woman is accused of transferring money to herself more than 50 times through these methods. The total amount embezzled during this period exceeded €235,000. Her colleagues are believed to have approved the payment orders, trusting the accuracy of the information provided.
Prior Convictions
The current case is not the woman’s first offense. In 2020, she was convicted in the Frankfurt District Court for previous embezzlements while working at the City School Office. She received a one-year suspended sentence. It was during that proceeding that the crimes now being charged were discovered.
New Job, Same Pattern
Despite her conviction, the woman secured a new position at the Main-Taunus County Employment Agency in 2020. This time, she worked in the Controlling and Finance department. Once again, she allegedly manipulated data in the computer system, using the details of previous recipients. She reportedly used the family account for payments to the health insurance fund. In six months, she is accused of embezzling over €83,000.
Husband’s Testimony
The woman’s husband testified in court that he was unaware of her actions. He stated that she managed the family finances. After the 2020 court ruling, he believed that she had become remorseful and responsible. "It was not apparent to me that it was still ongoing," he said.
Trial Conclusion and Sentencing
The trial is scheduled to conclude on Monday, with a verdict expected to be announced. The prosecution has accused the woman of commercial fraud and embezzlement.
