Former Berlin health senator Dilek Kalayci charged with bribery

The Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against former Berlin Health Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD) for bribery in connection with her wedding. The prosecutor’s office also charged the owner of an advertising agency who allegedly benefited from the arrangement.

According to a spokesperson from the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office, Kalayci faces charges of bribery. The advertising agency owner, a 58-year-old man, is also implicated. The Tagesspiegel first reported the charges.

Kalayci has not publicly commented on the case. However, her law firm stated that the former senator vehemently denies the accusations. “The extensive investigation, in my belief, did not confirm the allegations,” said lawyer Robert Unger.

Charges: No invoice for the wedding

The investigation revealed that in spring 2019, Kalayci and the advertising agency agreed that the agency would handle the planning and organization of Kalayci’s wedding. According to the indictment, the services were never invoiced to the former senator. The prosecution believes that Kalayci did not pay because she allegedly promised future contracts from the Senate to the agency.

The former senator did not request an invoice. Instead, the company is said to have received a contract from the Health Department after the wedding for an advertising campaign aimed at recruiting new caregivers.

The agency received €267,830 for the campaign. After deducting campaign costs, the company reportedly retained about €7,400, and the implicated owner received approximately €9,450. The services for Kalayci’s wedding were estimated to cost around €11,240.

Kalayci’s lawyer stated: “She maintains that, until the accusation became known, she was always under the impression that the advertising agency’s services were properly invoiced and fully paid.”

The lawyer added that Kalayci was unaware of any unbilled services and would not have tolerated such practices. “Ms. Kalayci also did not violate her official duties at any time,” Unger said.

If the prosecution’s view is upheld, the case will proceed to trial at the Berlin Regional Court. A criminal chamber must now decide whether to accept the charges. Until a final verdict is reached, Kalayci is presumed innocent.

In Germany, any amount of bribery can lead to imprisonment, with penalties ranging from three months to ten years depending on the severity of the offense. Even small-value gifts can be considered a criminal offense if they are intended to influence a public official.