April 23, 2026, 4:08 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
A subsidiary of Telekom was raided. The background involves investigations into fiber optic expansion and possible bribery payments. The focus is on a 37-year-old employee accused of deliberately awarding expansion contracts to a specific construction company in exchange for money.
In addition to him, investigations are directed against nine other individuals. According to the Cologne prosecutor’s office, these individuals mostly work at the involved construction company. A total of ten suspects are being investigated. The accusation is “bribery and corruption in business transactions in a particularly severe case.” Authorities emphasize that all suspects are presumed innocent.
Searches and Seized Assets
On Tuesday morning, the state criminal police office began extensive searches. About 40 residential and business premises, as well as safe deposit boxes, were affected. The actions took place mainly in the Ruhr area, Lower Rhine, and Rhineland. The aim was, among other things, to freeze assets worth more than half a million euros.
Additionally, investigators secured various documents and data carriers. Several media outlets had previously reported on the case, including “Focus Online.” The “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” wrote that the accused employee allegedly received three percent of each contract sum.
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Telekom’s Reaction to the Allegations
A Telekom spokesperson confirmed that the employee’s workplace at Telekom Technik GmbH was also searched. The company stated it conducted its own internal investigations following an anonymous tip. Subsequently, the case was reported to authorities. Telekom has been investing billions in fiber optic expansion for several years, aiming to significantly improve internet services in Germany.