The trial of Gero Strauß: Here’s what’s happening in the high-profile case involving the ENT specialist

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Alleged forgery of a medical certificate, unexcused absence from the trial according to the court, a warrant for his arrest to ensure his attendance: Gero Strauß, an ENT specialist and former managing director of the Leipzig Head Centre, caused quite a stir at the Regional Court at times with his behaviour. The 54-year-old faces charges including multiple counts of serious fraud and 57 counts of breach of trust. Now the trial, which got off to a slow start, seems to have picked up pace.

Gero Strauß arrives this Tuesday morning, 14 July 2026, arrives well ahead of time at 10.00 am at the Leipzig Regional Court, takes his seat in the dock, and waits for Khubaib-Ali Mohammed, one of his defence lawyers, who arrives shortly afterwards.

Trial got off to a turbulent start

A few weeks ago, the situation was quite different: the defendant had attended the opening of the trial on 2 June, but a week later he initially failed to appear. Following his delayed arrival from Berlin, where he is now said to be practising, it emerged that a medical certificate he had submitted was allegedly a crude forgery . Gero Strauß is now under investigation on suspicion of forgery.

A week later, a genuine medical certificate was produced; however, in the criminal division’s view, its content did not provide sufficient grounds for him to be absent from the trial. As a result, a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Defendant deemed fit to stand trial

There is now no trace of all the turmoil. Gero Strauß, after his state of health had been discussed behind closed doors without media or public presence, has since been examined by an expert and declared fit to stand trial.

The renowned doctor must therefore face the allegations put forward by the prosecution in the courtroom: according to these, he is alleged to have entered into seven loan agreements during his time as managing partner of the Kopfzentrum Group, between February and June 2022.

However, it is alleged that the money was not used for investments or the acquisition of medical practices, but rather, amongst other things, to finance a lavish lifestyle. The prosecution estimates the loss to amount to over 1.5 million euros. Further charges relate to dubious financial transactions which the defendant is alleged to have arranged, as well as the letting of a luxury flat in Berlin-Charlottenburg without full payment of the rent. Added to this are allegations of incomplete disclosures to the Leipzig tax office.

The first witnesses have been heard

But how exactly did the process of acquiring the medical practices work? How did the money flows take place? What sums are involved? What did the contracts look like? How was communication with the investors handled and what was discussed? These are all detailed questions which the court is now examining in minute detail. According to court sources, a large number of witnesses were heard last week, including doctors and the former commercial director of the Kopfzentrum.

On 14 July, the court will read out the statement of another witness. Tragically, he is no longer able to speak for himself: the man, an ENT specialist who had intended to retire and sell his practice, died in an accident last year.

At the end of 2023, he had told the authorities that he had been in contact with Dr Strauß and that the latter had personally inspected his practice, presumably in the spring. Ultimately, however, no specific purchase price had been agreed and communication had broken down: the deceased doctor stated that they had differing views on the terms.

Defendant remains silent

In the end, the trial concluded early on that day and was adjourned until 4 August, when new witnesses are due to appear. Gero Strauß himself, dressed in a dark suit, followed the proceedings calmly and without any outward emotion. So far, he has remained silent regarding the charges brought against him.

Six days of hearings have been scheduled up to 22 September. However, it seems doubtful whether these will be sufficient: further hearings may be necessary, according to presiding judge Tanja Lötschert. A verdict is therefore not yet on the horizon.