Frankfurt, July 16 (Reuters) – Anne Brorhilker, a prominent German prosecutor known for her efforts to crack down on tax fraud, announced her new role as an activist on Tuesday, vowing to combat the influence of lobbyists and recover €28 billion ($31 billion) in taxes.
Brorhilker, who spent years leading the fight against “cum-ex” trading schemes that defrauded state coffers during the financial crisis, joined the Berlin-based consumer advocacy group Finanzwende in June. She said the move came at a personal financial cost but allowed her to speak more freely.
At her first press conference since leaving the Cologne prosecutor’s office, Brorhilker identified the “huge influence of the financial lobby” as a core problem in Germany. She criticized special-interest groups for their significant resources and proximity to parliament, which she believes have hindered efforts to punish tax crimes.
“Why the hell don’t we use this opportunity to get the money back? Basically, the only explanation is that the financial lobbyists are really good at what they do,” Brorhilker stated.
During her tenure as a prosecutor, Brorhilker’s work on the cum-ex cases led to jail sentences and fines. Cum-ex trading involved illegal schemes that exploited loopholes to claim multiple refunds on taxes that were paid only once, costing the state billions.
Deutsche Kreditwirtschaft, an umbrella organization that lobbies for German finance, did not respond to requests for comment. The finance industry maintains that it plays a crucial role in keeping the economy functioning.
Germany’s finance ministry emphasized that the fight against tax evasion and avoidance is a high priority but noted that much of the responsibility lies with the individual German states.
Finanzwende, although registered as a lobby itself, operates on a much smaller budget from membership dues compared to top bank lobbies.
Brorhilker’s commitment to addressing financial crime and holding lobbyists accountable comes at a critical time as Germany, Europe’s largest economy, faces a budget shortfall and increasing criticism for not doing enough to combat financial misconduct.