Social worker stole from poor to buy BMW

BERLIN – A German social worker pocketed more than US$163 800 in public funds intended for homeless people and war refugees and bought himself a brand new BMW with the money, a court said on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old Berlin man was convicted of embezzlement and received a two-year suspended jail sentence. He was also told to repay the money.”He wasn’t exactly adhering to the Robin Hood principle,” said a court spokesman, referring to the mediaeval legend who robbed the rich to give to the poor.The defendant told Bild newspaper it had been easy for him to channel funds to his own account because he had clearance to issue individual payments of up to US$1 890.”It was an enormous temptation, just a computer click away,” he told the newspaper.- Nampa-ReutersHe was also told to repay the money.”He wasn’t exactly adhering to the Robin Hood principle,” said a court spokesman, referring to the mediaeval legend who robbed the rich to give to the poor.The defendant told Bild newspaper it had been easy for him to channel funds to his own account because he had clearance to issue individual payments of up to US$1 890.”It was an enormous temptation, just a computer click away,” he told the newspaper.- Nampa-Reuters