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Essen court dismisses fraud charges against Rudi Assauer's daughter
The Landgericht Essen has rejected the indictment against Bettina Michel, daughter of the late football manager Rudi Assauer, and his long-time private secretary, Sabine Söldner. The court declined to open main proceedings, stating that there is insufficient evidence to support the charges of organized and commercial fraud.
Prosecutors had alleged that the defendants had unlawfully enriched themselves from Assauer’s estate following his death in 2019 after a battle with dementia. The allegations included the unauthorized sale of two properties using a 2012 general power of attorney that prosecutors claimed was invalid because Assauer was no longer legally capable of conducting business at the time. The total amount in question was approximately 767,080 euros.
A third defendant, an acquaintance of Assauer, was also cleared of facing trial. Defense attorney Burkhard Benecken described the prosecution's case as “juristically undersweetened,” suggesting the matter had been exaggerated.
Entities
Amtsgericht Hannover · Bettina Michel · Hannover · Landgericht Essen · Rudi Assauer · Sabine Söldner
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The perpetrator used a 30-centimeter long knife to threaten bank staff.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The defendant's motive was to seek imprisonment to escape homelessness rather than to acquire wealth.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Hannover District Court sentenced a 28-year-old man to five months in prison.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The man obtained only ten euros during the robbery.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Both the prosecution and the defense agreed with the sentencing recommendation.