The prosecutor's office in Hanover announced Friday that it has pressed corruption charges against Germany's former President Christian Wulff.
The charges stem from Wulff allegedly accepting an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2008 Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich from a film producer friend, David Groenewold, whom he later helped by lobbying with the Siemens company to provide money for one of his movie projects.
Groenewold is also charged with offering a bribe in paying over EUR 500 for the former president's and former first lady's hotel accommodations.
Wullf denies the accusations in full. He also rejected an out-of-court settlement deal in saying he would fight to clean his name in the courtroom and refused to pay a fine.
He resigned in February 2011 after a number of scandals, prompting the prosecutors to ask the parliament to lift his immunity. The scandals also involved a discounted home loan he accepted from the partner of a wealthy businessman friend, free flight upgrades, hotel stays and gifts.
The courts now have to decide whether the charges are sufficient to launch a trial against Wulff, which would make him the first former German Head of State to be tried in a court of law.
If found guilty, Wulff could face up to five years imprisonment, however it is likely he would get probation.
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