Pressure is mounting within Lindau’s town hall. The ongoing proceedings involving the city’s building authority have now reached the upper levels of municipal leadership.
Prosecution Confirms Proceedings Against Lindau’s Second Mayor
The Kempten Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into Second Mayor Mathias Hotz (CSU). This information was confirmed by a spokesperson for the office in an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk. Investigative actions against Hotz were triggered by suspicions of bribery. Hotz was initially unavailable for comment, and his lawyer has not yet responded to inquiries. The presumption of innocence applies.
Potential Resignation and Legal Constraints
The city administration reported that Hotz intends to immediately suspend his voluntary service to Lindau. “He cited the public prosecutor’s investigation, which he learned about on Wednesday afternoon, as the reason,” city representatives wrote.
However, the administration has requested further clarification from Hotz because, according to the Bavarian Municipal Code (Bayerische Gemeindeordnung), mayors and city council members can only resign from their positions entirely; they cannot simply suspend their duties. Once this matter is resolved, the city will need to find a successor for his council seat. Ultimately, the city council will have to elect a new Second Mayor for the remainder of the current term.
Investigation into Lindau’s Building Authority
The Kempten Public Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating Lindau’s building authority on suspicion of withholding documents. Specifically, authorities are verifying reports that a negative assessment from city officials was removed from a building permit application file. Furthermore, the case involves suspicions of fraud, as well as bribery or the acceptance of benefits in connection with a construction project in Lindau.
Background: Disputed Construction Project and Personnel Scandals
Disagreements surfaced repeatedly within Lindau’s building authority last year. A permit for an apartment building was issued without the participation of the city council, despite part of the planned structure being located in a green zone on the outskirts of the city.
Local residents protested, and the Government of Swabia subsequently determined that the project “should have been rejected.” Consequently, the building committee halted the work and revoked the permit. At the end of the year, discussions also arose regarding the secondary business activities of the then-city architect and a department head. The two had founded a firm offering construction consultancy services. The city authorities were forced to take action, and both employees have since left the building authority. The prosecutor’s office has not yet specified whether the current case involves current or former employees, citing the confidentiality of the investigation.
Source: Bayerischer Rundfunk
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