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German Mayor's Conviction in COVID Relief Fraud Case Upheld by Federal Court

Markus Berktold, ex-mayor of Seeg, will serve 5.5 years in prison for defrauding over €2 million from pandemic relief funds.

  • The Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe rejected Markus Berktold's appeal, making his fraud conviction final.
  • Berktold, former mayor of Seeg, was found guilty of fraud, attempted fraud, data falsification, and breach of trust.
  • He illegally claimed over €2 million from the COVID-19 'Pflegerettungsschirm' fund between 2020 and 2022 as head of a care facility.
  • The court confirmed the initial sentence of 5.5 years in prison, issued in January 2024 by the Nuremberg-Fürth Regional Court.
  • Co-defendant and care facility manager received a separate prison sentence of 3 years and 11 months for their role in the scheme.
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