Kleve / Goch.
The process of the former operators of the sauna club “FKK van Goch” continues. The defendants’ lawyers have now called new witnesses.
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The lawyers of the accused operating couple of the sauna club “FKK van Goch” on Benzstrasse in Goch did their homework during the five-week break in the process. At the restart, the defense lawyers informed the chamber that they had found a large number of possible witnesses and that they were ready to testify before the regional court.
The allegation of tax evasion and withholding social security contributions between 2010 and 2016 amounting to 1.9 million euros is still in the room. It is questionable whether the prostitutes in the well-known establishment were actually self-employed, as the accused assert.
Other witnesses named
With the naming of further witnesses, the process, which has been tough so far, could now come into motion. After all, many of the Eastern European prostitutes who were employed in the establishment have not yet responded to the summons from the judiciary. The majority of the ex-employees who testified in court again pretended to have serious gaps in their memories of their time in the sauna club in Goch. In addition, witnesses withdrew earlier statements that had incriminated the defendants.
One of the lawyers now presented an exemplary work plan for the brothel from spring 2016. “The weekly schedule proves the discrepancy between the work schedule and the reality in the company,” said the lawyer. Prostitutes who were registered for a shift from 11 a.m. should therefore only appear in the afternoon. Others did not appear at all or only appeared the next day.
Apparently, the women did not or only rarely adhere to the registered working hours. This would speak in favor of their actual independence. “The women arranged their working hours as they saw fit and still paid the entrance fee of 50 euros. There were no sanctions in the event of deviations, ”said the lawyer.
The prosecutor replied that the work plan was only a small part of reality. “You made a lot of effort, but ignored that of course fines would not show up in the books,” he said in the direction of the defense.
The trial will continue at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd.
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