Financial crime in focus: Brorhilker speaks to MLU about the Cum-Ex scandal

Financial crime in focus: Brorhilker speaks to MLU about the Cum-Ex scandal

On July 1, 2025, at 6:15 p.m., an insightful lecture by Anne Brorhilker, the former lead investigator in cum-ex tax fraud, will take place at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). The event revolves around the exciting topic of “financial crime, tax justice and political influence on law enforcement” and will be led by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Lucia Sommerer organized. The lecture will take place in lecture hall XXII in the MLU Audimax, Universitätsplatz 106, 108 Halle (Saale) (idw-online.de).

Anne Brorhilker has made a decisive contribution to clearing up the Cum-Ex tax scandal over many years. In April 2024, she moved to the civil society organization “Citizens' Movement Financial Transition” and heads the financial crime department there after leaving the judicial service (zdfheute.de). Her work has made her a central figure in the fight against financial crime.

The Cum-Ex scandal and its effects

But what is actually behind the Cum-Ex business? This type of tax evasion, which is primarily characterized by multiple refunds of capital gains tax, has caused immense damage to the German state. For years, laws remained lax, allowing banks to refund capital gains taxes multiple times while the tax authorities fell by the wayside. The damage is estimated at at least 10 billion euros for Germany, and in Europe the total damage amounts to over 150 billion euros (rechtsanwaelte-gsp.de).

The legal assessment standards have recently changed. A ruling by the Federal Court of Justice is seen as a milestone because it no longer tolerates tax evasion. It is becoming increasingly clear that there is an urgent need to investigate this financial crime and that everyone involved must be held accountable (zdfheute.de). The legal classification of cum-ex transactions as tax evasion must be based on the deception about tax-significant facts and the intentional actions of those involved.

Political influences and enlightenment

In her previous positions, Brorhilker has repeatedly pointed out the difficulties that the judiciary and politicians experienced in prosecuting financial crimes. She criticized the obstructions that she received, particularly from banks and their lawyers. Instead of supporting strict legislation, regulations were passed that legitimized such transactions (zdfheute.de). The need for international cooperation to combat cross-border tax fraud is repeatedly emphasized in this context.

Anne Brorhilker is not only a colorful personality in the fight against these financial frauds; Her upcoming lecture at the MLU could also contribute further to enlightenment and give interested listeners a deep insight into the complex relationships and challenges of tax prosecution. It will be interesting to see what she will tell us on July 1st.