HSH Nordbank: Ex-mayor in the Cum-Exskandal without knowledge!

HSH Nordbank: Ex-mayor in the Cum-Exskandal without knowledge!

In the center of the sensational cum-ex scandal, the former mayors of Hamburg, Ole von Beust and Christoph Ahlhaus, who, according to their own statements, had no knowledge of the controversial business of HSH Nordbank. During the last witness surveys of the parliamentary committee of inquiry, both CDU politicians stated that they had received no information about the CUM-EX transactions that took place between 2008 and 2011. In these cases, HSH Nordbank had reimbursed capital gains taxes, although they had never been paid, which led to a repayment of around 126 million euros to the tax authority, such as ndr.de reported.

AHLHAUS, which was only in office for a short time, confirmed that the topic of Cum-Ex was never discussed during his term in office and that only the general Situation of the bank was discussed. Von Beust, who pursued the banking problem since the Lehman crisis in 2008, admitted that investigations against the bank did not affect its activities. His successor and other witnesses from state politics could not contribute any additional evidence of illegal action. Aussiedlerbote.de also stated that the committee of inquiry was originally focused on the review of possible political influence, but was expanded due to the political pressure.

Investigations in the Cum-Ex affair

The HSH Nordbank was the focus of the political investigation into its behavior in terms of CUM-EX transactions, which were uncovered as part of an investigation by the Clifford Chancellery. It has been proven that the bank reimbursed taxes that had never been paid in several cases. The committee of inquiry, which was used in 2020 to investigate political influence, has now also targeted the role of other prominent politicians. The question is raised whether influence on tax procedures at Warburg Bank was exerted. Meanwhile, the representatives of the HSH successor, Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB), rejected the comparison between the Cum-Ex cases and Warburg Bank. According to HCOB, the business itself has been informed by the bank and all relevant information was provided.

In a dramatic turning point, ex-HSH partner Christian Olearius could possibly be invited to the committee of inquiry in order to provide answers to pressing questions. As a central player in the affair, his share of the Cum-Ex CUSTIONS is of great interest in committee work, which wants to present their results until the next Hamburg election on February 26, 2024.