Frankfurt/Main (dpa/lhe) - In the trial against Frankfurt's mayor Peter Feldmann (SPD) on suspicion of corruption, the former head of the social affairs department Daniela Birkenfeld has been called as a witness today. Her testimony, like the hearing of two other witnesses, is likely to be about the refugee shelters operated by the Social Welfare Association (Awo) until 2018.
The public prosecutor's office accuses Feldmann of having accepted donations and other benefits from the workers' welfare organization. In return, he wanted to benevolently consider the interests of the social association. Feldmann has so far rejected the allegations. There is also a voting procedure against the mayor until November 6th.
The case against the SPD politician, who has been the mayor of Frankfurt for ten years, is linked to the Awo scandal involving allegations of fraud amounting to millions of euros against former leading functionaries of the association in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. Feldmann's partner at the time is said to have received the management post of an Awo daycare center for a significantly inflated salary, although she had no management experience. It is also about raising donations for Feldmann's re-election by the Awo.
