In front of the district court Miesbach, a 38-year-old Miesbacher had to justify himself for fraud. © Thomas Plettenberg
His alleged negligence got a 38-year-old Miesbacher into trouble: he had to justify himself in court for fraud.
Miesbach – According to the indictment, the Miesbacher is said to have ordered groceries worth around 2022 euros from an online retailer in September 128, but did not pay the bill after receiving the goods. He had already placed orders with the provider three or four times, said the 38-year-old defendant. Probably by mistake, however, he clicked on the option "Payment by invoice" this time, but paid the amount as usual with his credit card. But curiously, the money was transferred back to his account. When asked, he was told that the amount could not be allocated in the accounting department without an invoice number. He then transferred the 128 euros again and thought that the matter was settled: "I don't know why I'm sitting here today, because I've paid."
Judge Walter Leitner, however, drew the defendant's attention to the two reminders he had received. In it, the 38-year-old was addressed as "Mr. Professor" and asked to pay off his debts. Leitner asked if he had the title, which the defendant denied with an irritated laugh. Two months later, he had received a third letter in which the delivery company announced that the police would be called in on suspicion of fraud. Nevertheless, the defaulting customer was granted a payment deadline for the last time – which he apparently did not keep again.
Investigator cites other reasons for delay
The Miesbacher himself first denied having received payment requests and then tried to justify the matter by saying that he was "already quite sloppy" in such matters. Again and again he forgets bills, including parking tickets or reminders. Sometimes he accidentally threw away letters along with the old newspaper.
Since he travels a lot for work, the mail often remains unfinished for the time being. E-mails with reminders had probably ended up in the spam folder. The online retailer's invoice was finally paid in March 2023, long after the deadline and notification, Leitner noted. To the investigator, the man had justified his omission again differently, as he explained as a witness. At first, an alleged move was the reason why the bill had been left behind. However, this had taken place at a completely different time, as Leitner noted. Then a stay abroad of several weeks should have been the cause of the forgetfulness. The 34-year-old admitted that he had already had money problems and that the bailiff had presented himself to him. In September 2022, however, he could have paid the amount in question without any problems, he asserted.
Process continues
The public prosecutor refused to discontinue the proceedings, citing a previous conviction for fraud. The intransigence of the accused, who spoke of a "witch hunt", seemed to further consolidate their point of view. On another day of the trial, scheduled for Thursday, July 27, the financial situation at the time of the crime is now to be clarified. Stg
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