Alfons Schuhbeck, 76, Seriously Ill, Faces New Trial Over 27 Million Euro Debt and COVID-19 Aid Fraud With Plea Deal

Alfons Schuhbeck, the once-celebrated German star chef, is facing a new trial at the Munich Regional Court beginning in June 2025. This follows his 2022 conviction and prison sentence for tax evasion. The current proceedings focus on allegations of insolvency delay and fraud related to COVID-19 aid. Schuhbeck, aged 76 and reportedly seriously ill, has admitted guilt as part of a potential plea deal, though the deal's finalization remains uncertain. During the trial, Schuhbeck provided insights into his financial struggles, including a minimal pension and high living costs, and attributed some of his business failures to poor advice. His former restaurant empire left creditors with claims totaling approximately 27 million euros, as revealed by insolvency administrator Max Liebig. The case highlights the dramatic fall of a chef once prominent in Munich's high society, now grappling with legal and financial turmoil amid health challenges.