Frankfurt/Main (dpa/lhe) - Three days after Frankfurt's Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann (SPD) was voted out of office, the trial against the 64-year-old on suspicion of corruption will continue this Wednesday (9.30 a.m.). Feldmann did not appear at the last hearing at the district court because he was not able to stand trial due to a "mental state of emergency". The mayor was voted out of office on Sunday in a referendum, formally he will remain in office until this Friday when the final result will be determined.
The public prosecutor accuses Feldmann of accepting donations and other benefits from Arbeiterwohlfahrt (Awo). In return, he wanted to benevolently consider the interests of the social association. Feldman has denied the allegations.
According to the district court, the former head of the social affairs department Daniela Birkenfeld (CDU) was invited as a witness this Wednesday. Her statement is likely to be about refugee accommodation operated by Awo. In addition, former Awo employees should provide information.
The case against SPD politician Feldmann 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 current wife is said to have been given the management post of an Awo-Kita 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.
