Overview
- Matthias Hundt asked to be released from his post and stepped down after media reports and confirmation from the Dresden public prosecutor that a formal investigation into "various insolvency offences" is under way.
- Prosecutors are probing insolvency cases tied to companies in Hundt’s business network, including SDC Sachsen Digital Consulting GmbH, with media reporting that unpaid social security contributions and possible insolvency concealment are being examined and reported losses near €2 million.
- Journalists found discrepancies in Hundt’s official CV and Creditreform flagged risk indicators for related firms, and the Senatskanzlei says it was not aware of the insolvencies before media queries, raising questions about the appointment checks.
- The Senat named Florian Hauer to take on Hundt’s responsibilities in addition to his existing portfolio, a temporary step meant to keep projects running while investigations and insolvency proceedings continue.
- The case leaves Berlin’s digital reform program at risk and increases political pressure on Mayor Kai Wegner ahead of the September election, even as all parties stress the presumption of innocence and await the outcome of ongoing legal processes.