A 62-year-old former teacher in Germany is facing fraud and forgery charges after allegedly receiving more than €248,000 in salary payments between 2021 and 2025 despite not being medically unfit to work, according to prosecutors in Duisburg.
The case concerns a teacher from North Rhine-Westphalia who reportedly stopped teaching in 2009 but continued receiving her salary while submitting medical certificates to justify her absence. Prosecutors have brought charges alleging fraud in 11 particularly serious cases and the forgery of two documents.
The charges have been filed with the Regional Court in Duisburg, which must now decide whether to admit the indictment and open a full trial.
Alleged Salary Payments Between 2021 and 2025
According to the Duisburg Public Prosecutor's Office, the teacher allegedly submitted several medical certificates between March 2021 and March 2025 stating that she was unable to perform her teaching duties.
Investigators allege that she knew she was capable of working during this period but continued submitting the certificates, leading the state of North Rhine-Westphalia to pay her more than €248,000.
The charges reportedly relate to 10 allegedly inaccurate sick-leave certificates submitted during the four-year period. The prosecution has limited the fraud allegations to this period because earlier potential offences are considered time-barred.
Why the Case Covers Only Four Years
Although the teacher reportedly remained away from the classroom from 2009 onwards, the current criminal proceedings concern payments made between March 2021 and March 2025.
This distinction is important because the €248,000 figure does not represent the total salary she may have received throughout her entire absence. It relates specifically to the period covered by the current charges.
Earlier reports have estimated that her overall earnings during approximately 16 years could have been considerably higher. However, such estimates should not be confused with the amount prosecutors are pursuing in the present case.
Separate Allegations Involving Scuba-Diving Certificates
The investigation also includes two alleged cases of document forgery connected with the teacher's scuba-diving activities.
According to prosecutors, the woman allegedly created two certificates confirming her fitness to participate in diving activities and presented them as documents issued by a doctor. Investigators reportedly found that the medical professional named in the certificates did not exist.
The distinction between the two sets of documents is significant: the alleged sick-leave certificates concerned her ability to perform her teaching duties, while the disputed diving certificates concerned her fitness for the sport.
No Confirmed Evidence of a Second Profession
The case attracted additional attention because reports raised questions about whether the teacher had pursued other professional activities while receiving sick-leave payments.
Investigators examined indications that she might have worked as a naturopathic practitioner or been involved in a business venture. However, the Duisburg prosecutor's office reportedly said that the investigation had not established concrete evidence of parallel professional employment.
Reports also describe her as an active scuba diver during the period of her absence from teaching. Nevertheless, the diving-related allegations and the question of whether she carried out another job remain separate issues.
Court to Decide Whether Trial Will Proceed
The teacher has reportedly not commented on the allegations so far. The Regional Court in Duisburg will decide whether to admit the charges and begin the main proceedings.
The case has raised questions about the monitoring of long-term sick leave and the procedures used by public authorities to review employment records and medical documentation.
For organisations, the situation also illustrates the importance of proper documentation, internal controls and regular reviews of salary payments and employee records. Effective internal audit services can help institutions assess financial controls and identify discrepancies in administrative processes.