Judge Fined for Workplace Sexual Misconduct Following Court Ruling

A judge from the Steinfurt district has been ordered to pay a significant fine after being found guilty of workplace sexual misconduct involving a female colleague. The decision, delivered by the Osnabrück Regional Court, concluded that the judicial official engaged in inappropriate conduct during his time in office, which resulted in a financial penalty of EUR7,000. The court determined that the judge had, on two separate occasions, attempted to kiss a fellow judge against her will, thereby crossing legal boundaries of professional behavior.

The court proceedings revealed that the convicted judge, a long-standing member of the Lower Saxony judiciary and previously recognized for his confident and assured demeanor, exploited his position to pursue personal interests that were deemed inappropriate and unlawful in the workplace. The investigation established that he attempted unsolicited physical contact with a junior female colleague, first trying to kiss her without consent and then repeating the attempt despite her explicit objections. These incidents were confirmed through consistent testimonies and corroborated by multiple witnesses.

During the trial, the prosecution had sought a custodial sentence of one year and four months, citing not only sexual harassment in conjunction with physical assault but also alleged breaches of privacy rights through unauthorized image recording and persistent harassment. The defense argued these charges were unsubstantiated and called for acquittal. Ultimately, the court found him guilty of sexual harassment in two instances while acquitting him on other charges due to insufficient evidence.

The judgment noted that the judge often approached female colleagues who were new to the court and had yet to establish strong professional networks, making them more vulnerable to his advances. While some interactions were initially consensual, the court emphasized that he repeatedly failed to respect the wishes of colleagues who attempted to end personal communications or relationships. Evidence presented included messages from one colleague explicitly requesting that he stop contacting her.

Testimonies from several staff members indicated a reluctance among many employees to work with the judge, citing a pattern of dominant and unprofessional behavior. The court highlighted the misuse of his authority, such as obtaining personal contact details under false pretenses and initiating conversations of a sexual nature. These actions were deemed incompatible with the ethical standards expected from judicial officials.

Although some instances amounted to conflicts of testimony and inconsistencies, the court concluded that the weight of evidence in the two primary cases was sufficient for a conviction. The judge's prior unblemished legal record and his admission of key facts were considered in mitigation, but the exploitation of his professional role for personal gain was regarded as a serious aggravating factor.

The court's decision underscores the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and ethical conduct within public service, particularly in positions of authority such as the judiciary. The judge retains the right to appeal the verdict within a stipulated period.