Investigation Launched into Possible Bribery at Immigration Office

An investigation has been initiated by the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office regarding allegations of bribery involving a staff member at the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). This inquiry follows a suspicious incident related to an appointment made in August 2024, prompting the LEA to file a criminal complaint in early September.

According to a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, the investigation is concentrated on one individual. On June 19, multiple searches were conducted as part of the inquiry, which included the examination of the suspect's home and office, as well as two residences of individuals implicated in the bribery allegations.

Reports indicate that the recent case is distinct from another bribery investigation that captured attention earlier. In that separate matter, a 38-year-old LEA employee is accused of unlawfully granting citizenship to a family of four from North Macedonia. It is alleged that he forged signatures on citizenship documents, employed a fraudulent seal, and subsequently deleted the family's immigration records.

The LEA's scrutiny over employees appears to be intensifying, reflecting growing concerns over integrity within the agency. The initial red flag that led to the recent investigation was a reported irregularity in a single appointment, which diverges from more extensive cases of misconduct previously reported.

As the investigations unfold, the public will be watching closely to see how authorities respond to these serious allegations of corruption within the immigration system.