Fraud allegations against ENT doctor Gero Strauß: Trial at Leipzig Regional Court
The former head of the Kopfzentrum Group is facing court over serious fraud, breach of trust and false statutory declaration. The total damage is said to exceed €1.7 million.
Indictment against Kopfzentrum founder: Luxury lifestyle at investors' expense
As l-iz.de reports, Prof. Gero Strauß has had to answer to the Leipzig Regional Court since Tuesday. The public prosecutor's office accuses the 54-year-old ENT doctor and former managing director of the Kopfzentrum Group of serious fraud in eight instances, breach of trust in 57 instances, and one false statutory declaration.
Loans misappropriated for private purposes
State prosecutor Silke Kühlborn presented a comprehensive indictment on Tuesday morning. According to this, between the end of February and the end of June 2022 — when he was still managing director and medical director of the Kopfzentrum Group — Strauß allegedly sold company shares and concluded seven loan agreements with investors. The company, which specialises in treating diseases of the head, nervous system and sensory organs, was experiencing economic difficulties at that time.
Strauß allegedly did not use the funds received for the promised practice acquisitions and technology investments, but rather to finance his private lifestyle. According to the indictment, the damage from these transactions amounts to more than €1,480,000.
57 transactions at company expense
Additionally, Strauß allegedly initiated 57 payments from the company account in his capacity as managing director of the Kopfzentrum Group. According to the indictment, the money went towards private jet flights, club memberships, luxury apartments and entertainment. The alleged damage in this area amounts to approximately €214,500.
Berlin luxury apartment and concealed foreign accounts
After leaving the Kopfzentrum Group, Strauß rented a 180-square-metre apartment in Berlin-Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in mid-January 2023 for more than €5,700 per month — by falsely representing his ability and willingness to pay and his solvency, according to the public prosecutor's office. The landlord ultimately ended up with over €51,000 in unpaid rent. A forced eviction took place on 14 February 2024.
With a date of 22 December 2023, Strauß allegedly made incomplete statements to the Leipzig tax office regarding his economic situation — including concealed foreign accounts and co-ownership of a property.
Accused remains silent initially
Strauß, who is now said to be practising in Berlin, observed the start of proceedings without visible emotion. His defence attorney Christian Schößling stated that his client would initially make no statements regarding the allegations. Schößling referred to Strauß's poor state of health; a certificate from Berlin's Charité hospital was to confirm this. This could also affect the 54-year-old's ability to stand trial.
Further investigations ongoing
Parallel to the ongoing proceedings, further legal cases are pending against Strauß. One outstanding case concerns company vehicles and an apartment that were not returned after his resignation. Strauß appealed against a corresponding penalty notice. Furthermore, the public prosecutor's office continues to investigate alleged billing fraud in connection with the Kopfzentrum Group and Acqua Clinic — a matter that had already led to raids in October 2022.
The MDR had also reported several years earlier on suspicious prescription practices and allegedly unnecessary operations to which patients were allegedly pressured. Strauß denied these allegations.
For the current trial at Leipzig Regional Court, further hearing dates are scheduled through August.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)