Corrupt immigration authorities: maximum penalty for bribery in Lüneburg

Corrupt immigration authorities: maximum penalty for bribery in Lüneburg

On July 10, 2025, the Lüneburg Regional Court handed down a sensational verdict against a former employee of the immigration authority in Lüchow-Dannenberg and an accomplice. In a case of massive bribery, both the 31-year-old ex-clerk and his 32-year-old co-defendant were sentenced to long prison sentences. While the clerk received six years and six months, his accomplice, who is already serving a seven and a half year prison sentence, has to prepare for a total of nine years. As NDR reports, the actions of the two seem particularly serious because they affected the issuance of residence permits and citizenship.

The presiding judge pointed out the serious breach of official and official duties. The ex-employee had illegally issued certificates and concealed claims, while his co-defendant organized the payments and provided false documents such as forged passports and false residence permits. In total, the two earned around 154,000 euros through their criminal actions, although the usual rate for a permit was around 15,000 euros. The method in which the customers were posed as Ukrainian refugees was particularly perfidious. This was done in order to illegally obtain residence permits, as the Landeszeitung highlights.

Role distribution and motivations

The ex-clerk responded in court by saying that he was acting out of fear and thus incriminating his accomplice. His defense attorney even questioned whether he was really the main perpetrator. However, it is difficult to support this argument, especially since the court presented WhatsApp messages and notes about his earnings, which further increased his guilt. The co-defendant, however, confessed and helped to clear up the case, and it was made clear that in this constellation the ex-employee was the only one who took bribes, while the co-defendant only assisted.

The court made it unequivocally clear that the sale of citizenship is a serious abuse of authority, which not only puts the authorities in a bad light, but also significantly damages citizens' trust in the integrity of public offices. Corruption in public administration not only means financial losses, but also has deeper, intangible dimensions, as [BKA](https://www.bka.de/DE/ UnserAufgabe/Deliktsbereich/Korruption/korruption.html) emphasizes: Citizens' trust in the state suffers significantly.

Investigation and verdict

The investigations against the two men began at the end of 2022 when evidence of illegal practices in the immigration office emerged. It was applicants' dissatisfaction with delayed processes that first raised suspicions. In May 2023, investigators finally searched offices and homes to clarify allegations of corruption.

Although the verdict is not yet final and the defense is planning an appeal, the verdict does not remain without impact in the minds of the ex-clerk's former colleagues. They expressed satisfaction with the legal decision and emphasized the loss of trust that this approach has left in the authority. A clear indication that transparency and fairness are essential in public administration.