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Finance Minister Lindner: Anger about buying a house
Photo: Michele Tantussi/ AFP
The Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office is examining whether it should start corruption investigations against Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
A spokesman for the authority confirmed on Sunday evening a corresponding report by the "Tagesspiegel".
According to the spokesman, the new special department for combating corruption is currently conducting appropriate checks.
However, the test procedure is still at an early stage.
The reason for the preliminary investigations was SPIEGEL's reporting on Lindner's real estate financing and his commitment to BBB Bank in October.
It is still open whether the FDP politician's immunity will actually be lifted and whether formal investigations will then be initiated against him.
Two-family house in Berlin
According to SPIEGEL research, Lindner bought a two-family house in Berlin for 1.65 million euros in January 2021, after which extensive renovations began.
In two steps, Lindner registered a land charge totaling EUR 2.8 million in favor of BBB Bank.
Land charges usually secure long-term loans.
The difference between the purchase price and the presumed loan amount was now 1.15 million euros - which is considered unusually high in the real estate industry.
Shortly before the Finance Minister registered the second tranche of EUR 450,000 in June last year, he sent a three-minute video greeting in May at the bank's request.
The occasion was the 100th anniversary of the bank.
According to the transcript of the speech, Lindner said in the embassy: “I really like BBB Bank.”
"No connection"
In October, Lindner's lawyer denied to SPIEGEL the allegation of a combination of private and official interests.
There was "no connection in terms of personnel, content or even time between the welcome address requested for official purposes and private real estate financing".
Basically, if there were a connection, it could be punishable as an advantage.
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