Trial in Berlin: Digitalization officer probably turned school iPads into money
A business economist working for the Berlin Senate is alleged to have stolen at least 34 iPads and sold them privately. They were actually intended for schools.
Various older iPads. The Berlin case involved 34 Apple tablets from the Pro and Air series.
(Image: Apple / Mac & i)
An employee of the Berlin Senate, who was explicitly responsible for digitalization in schools, ordered Apple tablets and other computer accessories for schools in the state and then allegedly sold them on privately. This was reported by the newspaper B.Z. , citing a confession made by the man during a trial in the capital. The theft is said to have taken place as part of the so-called DigitalPakt Schule. The business administration graduate, who is not quite 30 years old, had been working as a "consultant for digitalization".
iPad Pro, iPad Air and accessories
In the proceedings for breach of trust and fraud before the Berlin district court, the defendant immediately apologized. He regretted the incident "deeply" and apologized. Apparently, the Senate did not have sufficient security mechanisms in place to prevent the theft.
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A first offense is said to have taken place in spring 2021, which "only" involved four displays, four hard drives for external use and four iPad Air models. Cost: around 7000 euros. The devices were intended for a school in Wilmersdorf, according to the "notification of requirements". They were even delivered, but the defendant then approached the school and informed them that the devices would have to be redistributed to other educational institutions because they lacked the necessary requirements, including "sufficient cabling" according to the B.Z. newspaper.
Defense lawyer: "Huge failure" on the part of the employer
However, there was no redistribution at all. Instead, the digital officer later sold the devices "privately" and "online", according to the defendant. Three and a half months later, a total of 30 iPad Pro models disappeared, which were actually supposed to go to Hellersdorf to an OSZ (Oberstufenzentrum). The value: over 52,000 euros. These were also sold. The profit is said to have been 45,000 euros. According to the accused, there was no real aim to the operation, he was not interested in the money. He was "clouded in the head".
The man's defense lawyer stated that the defendant's employer, the Berlin Senate, had made it "very easy" for the perpetrator. He had been "left to work". That was a huge failure. A verdict has not yet been reached. The judge is still trying to find out who is entitled to the money for the stolen products, whether the state of Berlin or the federal government. The proceedings will continue at the end of February.
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