Munich, nov 24, (dpa/GNA) – An employee of the southern German city of Kempten, is alleged to have stolen at least €1 million ($1.15 million) in coins from parking ticket machines.
Police and prosecutors announced on Monday, that arrest warrants had been issued for the man and his wife, on charges of theft and aiding and abetting in 720 cases. They are now both in custody.
Investigators were alerted to the man by a report from a bank regarding suspected money laundering. The Kempten public prosecutor’s office was informed in October that cash was repeatedly being deposited into several bank accounts.
It’s thought that the employee took coins from the parking ticket machines on many occasions. He is said to have deposited the money into accounts that his wife had access to. It’s thought the city lost well over €1 million as a result.
Kempten’s mayor, Thomas Kiechle, said he was “stunned and dismayed” by the allegations. Officials also searched city offices on Monday as part of the investigation.
“I naturally support the public prosecutor’s office and the police in their thorough investigation of the allegations,” the mayor said.
“Until the proceedings are concluded, the presumption of innocence applies. However, I will immediately take concrete labour law and organizational measures to review past work processes, uncover possible weaknesses and reliably remedy them for the future.”
GNA