Christmas is typically a time for family gatherings and celebrations, but this year, renowned chef Alfons Schuhbeck, 75, will spend the holidays behind bars. Currently imprisoned at Rothenfeld prison near Andechs, Schuhbeck is serving his sentence for tax evasion, which includes three years and two months of incarceration.
Schuhbeck has been incarcerated since August 2023 after being convicted of defrauding the German tax system to the tune of 2.3 million euros. Unfortunately for the former star chef, he is facing more legal challenges, including allegations related to COVID-19 aid fraud. Consequently, he will be unable to enjoy any holiday privileges this Christmas. "He may not even leave the prison for one hour on Christmas," says his lawyer Nicolas Stieger.
The severity of Schuhbeck's current situation has drawn criticism from his lawyer, who believes the Bavarian justice system is being too harsh. "I think the Bavarian justice is treating him far too severely. This does not correlate with his conviction and the current allegations. There’s no danger of flight with Mr. Schuhbeck, so this doesn’t make sense for me," Stieger argues.
After initially being granted certain privileges, like weekend outings and visits to the prison kiosk, Schuhbeck’s rights were revoked following new charges. These fresh allegations include nine counts of insolvency concealment, four counts of fraud, five counts of attempted fraud, 19 counts of subsidy fraud, and 479 counts related to wage withholding and misappropriation.
During this challenging time, Schuhbeck is not permitted additional visitors during the Christmas season. Legally, he can receive visits twice a month from family and friends, but the number of visits is not increased over the holidays. "I will likely visit him again at the end of January," Stieger mentioned, acknowledging the difficulty for Schuhbeck.
Monika Gruber, Schuhbeck's girlfriend, has shared insights about their situation, stating, "It’s not going well for him. The new investigations are taking their toll. At almost 76, it’s sad for him to be locked up." Gruber was unable to visit Schuhbeck during Christmas, which adds to the loneliness of the holiday season for the celebrated chef.
While she laments the limitations on cheer during the holidays, Gruber highlights the strict rules surrounding gifts. She expressed her disappointment, saying, "I would have loved to send him a Christmas package with cookies, but unfortunately, that's not allowed." The prison rules permit her to bring him only 7.50 euros, strictly limiting his options for treats behind bars. "With 7.50 euros, he could buy five bars of Ritter Sport chocolate at the prison shop," she noted.
Despite the grim scenario, Schuhbeck is not entirely disconnected from the holiday spirit. While he is prohibited from receiving visits on Christmas, he may participate in religious services held at the prison chapel. These services provide some opportunity for reflection and community, embodying the Christmas spirit, albeit within the confines of prison life.
Schuhbeck’s continuing saga serves as both a cautionary tale and preview of potential tumultuous legal troubles to come. With the courts preparing to rule on these latest allegations, Christmas 2023 will be yet another somber reminder of the consequences of his previous actions. The path toward redemption for Alfons Schuhbeck remains fraught with challenges, as the 75-year-old grapples with the consequences of his past amid the unforgiving backdrop of the prison.
