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Scandal for Gießen bills: 17.4 million euros under criticism!
Revision office criticizes Gießen's billing for unaccompanied minor foreigners 2019-2020. Is there a risk of financial loss?
Scandal for Gießen bills: 17.4 million euros under criticism!
A financial drama is brewing over casting! The auditors of the revision office sharply criticized the 2019 and 2020 annual financial statements. The focus is on billing for the supply and accommodation of unaccompanied minor foreigners (UMA). This topic has been discussed since 2021, but the new reports are giving an even darker light on the financial practices of the city. The examiners have found that the city of Gießen paid a total of 17.4 million euros to Caritas from 2017 to 2021, while only 14.7 million euros were submitted in verifiable services. A clear indication of possible irregularities!
The city and Caritas have concluded contracts that form the basis for billing. But here it becomes explosive: The additional agreement for remuneration of services was only signed by a head of department, which violates the legal provisions. The examiners are alarmed because no annual end statements for the years 2019 and 2020 were carried out. Instead, non -contractual services were charged with the payments, which significantly impairs the transparency of the financial processes.
Is there a risk of financial loss?
The situation is heading: The auditors warn of impending financial loss of 1.8 million euros, which could even increase to 2.7 million euros if the state of Hesse withdraws its advance payments. So far, the city has paid 2.7 million euros in residence costs to Caritas, but the legality of these payments is more than questionable. So far, the examiners have not received any resilient evidence for the payments. The magistrate, on the other hand, sees no overpayments and refers to tested expenses by an auditing company.
Negotiations with the state of Hesse on the reimbursement of the reservoirs are in favor and the uncertainty remains. The city of Gießen is on the verge of a financial abyss, while those responsible are fighting for clarification and relief. The coming months will be crucial to clarify whether casting comes out of this financial misery or whether the city gets into a deep financial whirlpool.