Alphonse Schuhbeck
Star chef makes a partial confession
Alfons Schuhbeck on the second day of the trial in Munich.
© imago images/Sven Simon
Star chef Alfons Schuhbeck made a partial confession in court. He is accused of tax evasion in the millions.
Alfons Schuhbeck (73) surprisingly made a partial confession in court. The star chef has been charged with 25 cases of tax evasion and attempted tax evasion, as the Munich Regional Court announced on August 22. Now, on the second day of the trial, he confessed to having “repeatedly used the opportunity to reduce sales and thereby withdrawing funds from the cash register”. This is reported by RTL reporter Jasmin Raziorrouhwho follows the process on site.
Schuhbeck is said to have smuggled revenue past the tax office with the help of a computer program, according to the prosecutor’s office. The celebrity chef now explained that the tool actually existed. The statements made by his former IT specialist, who testified against him in the trial, are “largely correct”.
Schuhbeck now wants to take responsibility and apologized for only now commenting. The 73-year-old could not explain where all the money went. The star chef “above all plugged financial holes and supported my children in their education”. He emphasized that he “didn’t squander the money on a life of luxury (…)”. He is also quoted as saying: “I fooled myself, my friends and acquaintances and also my defense lawyers to the end because I didn’t want to admit that I had failed entrepreneurially.”
“Ginger” proceedings: A total of 18 main hearing dates
A co-defendant employee is accused of aiding and abetting tax evasion and attempted tax evasion in the process. For the so-called “ginger” trial – named after one of the cook’s favorite ingredients – the court has scheduled 18 main hearing dates. The district court had already admitted the charges in early August. At the end of June 2019 it became known for the first time that the star chef was being investigated.
Schuhbeck is one of Germany’s best-known chefs. Among other things, he runs three restaurants, an ice cream parlor, spice shops and a catering service in the heart of Munich.