A recent trial highlights the severity of embezzlement cases involving public funds. In a notable case, two civil servants, Mr. G. and Mr. F., and a contractor, Mr. D., were accused of embezzling over €5.2 million from the municipality of Hesperange. The scheme, which went undetected for 19 years, involved the use of dormant accounts and fake invoices to siphon off funds meant for public use.
The accused individuals allegedly used the embezzled funds to finance their lavish lifestyles, with Mr. G. accused of spending the money on luxury items such as cars, Rolex watches, and expensive holidays, including a trip to Antarctica. Mr. G.’s annual salary was €58,000, but he was able to afford a Bentley, Aston Martin, Porsche, and Harley Davidson, raising questions about how his spending habits went unnoticed for so long.
The case came to light in 2019 when the municipality investigated a missing payment from Lalux, discovering that the insurer had paid its dues to a dormant account controlled by Mr. G. The municipality lodged a complaint, and the court case is ongoing. The trial highlights the need for stronger controls over municipal finances to prevent similar cases of embezzlement.
