One thing is crystal clear in the convoluted labyrinth of justice: nothing works without money. This truth has become glaringly evident in the ongoing fraud trial of former Wirecard CEO Markus Braun. Braun lost his main defense attorney due to financial constraints as the bankruptcy scandal unfolds. Attorney Alfred Dierlamm resigned from the case, citing the exhaustion of the fee budget provided by the manager liability insurance.
In a twist that seems ripped straight from a corporate thriller, Munich's legal theater has given us a plot twist worthy of a standing ovation: Oliver Bellenhaus, Wirecard's former Dubai manager and now star of the show, has been released from jail. This move leaves Markus Braun, Wirecard's former CEO, as the sole member of the executive cast still behind bars, spotlighting the old adage that sometimes, it's wise to sing like a canary.
Former Wirecard CEO Markus Braun and his lawyers need more time to examine the documents. His defense lawyer Alfred Dierlamm today announced a motion to suspend the fraud trial against Braun and two other ex-managers of the insolvent payment services provider. The background was "what was poured onto our table in terms of files," he said on the second day of the trial at the beginning of his statement, which was scheduled to last about two hours.
The Wirecard trial begins on 8 Dec 2022. The main question will be: Who is responsible for the scandal? Markus Braun, the founder and former CEO, Oliver Bellenhaus, managing director of Wirecard Dubai, and the former head of accounting, Stephan von Erffa have to answer critical questions! Braun and his accomplices are alleged to have operated Wirecard as a criminal organization, the indictment says. The court has scheduled 100 days of hearings. In an underground courtroom.