Kempten, Germany – A municipal parking inspector and his wife have been arrested in Kempten, Germany, in connection with the suspected embezzlement of over €1 million from local parking meters. The individuals, whose names have not been released due to ongoing legal proceedings, are currently in separate detention facilities.
Allegations and Charges
The parking inspector faces 720 counts of theft, while his 38-year-old wife has been charged with 720 counts of aiding and abetting theft. Local police stated that the municipal employee is alleged to have repeatedly removed coins from parking meters in Kempten and transferred them into bank accounts accessible to his wife.
Investigation Details
The investigation began in October when a credit institution filed a money laundering report. This report indicated repeated cash deposits into multiple bank accounts, prompting the Kempten public prosecutor's office to initiate an inquiry. Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at office premises on November 24, the same day the 40-year-old man and 38-year-old woman were arrested. The duration over which the alleged sum was accumulated has not been specified.
Official Response
Kempten Mayor Thomas Kiechle acknowledged the allegations, expressing support for the public prosecutor's office and police. He stated, "Until the proceedings are concluded, the presumption of innocence applies." Mayor Kiechle has announced the formation of a commission tasked with reviewing past work processes, identifying potential weaknesses, and implementing future preventative measures.
About Kempten
Kempten, one of Germany's oldest settlements, is located in the southern part of the country within the Allgäu region. The town has a population of approximately 70,000 residents.