Stuttgart court to rule on police inspector bribery case after key evidence excluded

The charges

The defendant, the former highest-ranking police officer in Baden-Württemberg, is accused of offering a female chief inspector preferential treatment in a promotion process in exchange for a sexual relationship. The alleged offer was made during a phone call. In a separate first trial, he was acquitted in July 2023 of sexually harassing the same officer during a pub visit nearly five years ago. That acquittal is final.

Key evidence excluded

The central piece of evidence is a covertly recorded Skype conversation between the defendant and the inspector. The court has ruled the recording inadmissible. The presiding judge stated the chamber could not identify a sufficiently concrete and promised breach of duty to support a conviction.

The conversation is not suitable to prove the alleged crime.

The key witness, the inspector herself, refuses to testify. The prosecution had built its bribery case on the video, while the defense argues the recording was planned, not spontaneous, and has raised doubts about its authenticity. Observers expect the former inspector may be acquitted in this second trial as well.

Political fallout

The affair triggered a political crisis for then-interior minister Thomas Strobl (CDU). A parliamentary inquiry committee in Stuttgart examined sexual harassment, promotion practices within the police, and the forwarding of a lawyer’s letter by Strobl. It also scrutinised how the inspector was appointed and how top police posts are filled. In response, Strobl abolished the office of police inspector altogether.

What comes next

Formally, the defendant remains a civil servant and still receives part of his salary, according to the interior ministry. Disciplinary proceedings against him are suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case. Even after Monday’s expected verdict, a final resolution could be delayed if either side appeals to the Federal Court of Justice.