{
  "id": 2424565,
  "title": "Volksbank Köln Bonn: Bordell-Kredit beschäftigt Justiz: Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt gegen Volksbank-Vorstand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/volksbank-koln-bonn-bordell-kredit-beschaftigt-justiz",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-21T19:03:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/banken/volksbank-koeln-bonn-staatsanwaltschaft-ermittelt-gegen-bank-vorstand/100248917.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In the wake of the Volksbank Köln Bonn scandal involving a brothel loan, prosecutors in Düsseldorf have initiated a criminal investigation. According to reports from \"Süddeutsche Zeitung\" and WDR, the Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a probe into the alleged bribery in business dealings, targeting a member of the Volksbank Köln Bonn board of directors. The Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed to the Handelsblatt that the case concerning the loan approval is under investigation. The probe was initiated by Düsseldorf investigators and forwarded to the Köln Public Prosecutor's Office, which is currently assessing whether jurisdiction lies with them. The defense attorney for the affected Volksbank Köln Bonn board member has also confirmed the existence of the investigation, stating that they cannot comment on the allegations he deems \"inaccurate.\" The scandal's background revolves around the financing of the notorious Kölner Bordellimmobilie \"Pascha.\" At the start of July, it was revealed that Volksbank Köln Bonn had granted a loan for the financing of the \"Pascha\" brothel, which is one of the largest brothels in Europe.",
  "summary": "Die Staatsanwaltschaft hat Ermittlungen gegen ein Vorstandsmitglied der Bank aufgenommen. Es geht um die Frage, wie ein Kredit für den Kauf der Kölner Bordellimmobilie „Pascha“ zustande kam.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}