IIn the trial against Peter Feldmann, the pleadings will be postponed by at least a week. The defense attorneys for the former mayor submitted nine applications for evidence on Wednesday, some of which the court has yet to decide on. As the presiding judge said, the decisions will be announced on the next day of the hearing. Should the remaining motions be denied, prosecutors and defense could plead. If the Economic Criminal Court investigates them, the procedure may be extended into the new year. Two more days of negotiations are currently scheduled for the process, the last on December 21. Feldmann also wants to provide information about his personal circumstances on the next day of the hearing.
The court settled part of the requests for evidence on Wednesday by reading out the contents of the files. Above all, the applications to invite three witnesses are still open: A former department head from the social department, whom the defense wants to hear about the awarding of contracts for refugee accommodation. Feldmann’s former office manager to testify about the mayor’s participation in charitable events and Feldmann’s lack of improper influence on the administration. As well as a former senior official of the real estate office, who the defense says will confirm that Feldmann had no influence on the award of a contract for refugee accommodation at Poloplatz to the AWO or in relation to other refugee accommodation.
3500 euros repayment from Feldmann’s account
From the point of view of the public prosecutor’s office, none of the desired witnesses can provide information that would help to clarify the facts. The information expected from the defense is irrelevant to the decision. Allegations in connection with the award of contracts for refugee accommodation are not part of the indictment.
The court had previously read documents and emails. Among other things, a repayment to the AWO district association Frankfurt from Feldmann’s account from December 12, 2019 in the amount of around 3500 euros. Also calendar entries for Feldmann’s meetings with Jürgen and Hannelore Richter. As well as a call from the AWO leadership to support “our AWO member Peter Feldmann” in the 2018 mayoral campaign. In an email exchange from January 2018, the district chairman at the time exchanged views with others about an advertisement for Feldmann’s election campaign and questions about financing. There it says that donations are to be diverted.
Also in connection with the election campaign is a repeatedly mentioned message from the current Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser (SPD), to Hannelore Richter, to support Feldmann’s candidacy. According to the reading by the court, this is a newsletter to SPD members in Hesse asking them to participate in home visits to voters. The newsletter lists suggested dates and informs party members about the modalities.
