Whereabouts of Karstadt Rescuer Göbel Unknown
In a twist of fate, the man once considered the savior of Frankfurt's Karstadt branch, Friedrich-Wilhelm Göbel, is now on the run from authorities. Last seen in Frankfurt where his fashion retailer Aachener took over several Karstadt Kaufhof locations, Göbel is now wanted for insolvency-related misconduct.
Aachener's Insolvency and Göbel's Vanishing Act
Once touted as a potential "solution," Aachener, now under new management, filed for insolvency itself in late November 2022. Göbel, who was last heard from in an email promising to open the department store on November 23, has been missing since then.
A Scramble for Karstadt Frankfurt
With Aachener insolvent, the future of the Karstadt Frankfurt branch is uncertain. As of now, TEH Textilhandel GmbH, the brand behind Aachener, has not responded to inquiries about what the insolvency means for the employees or if they have any knowledge of Göbel's whereabouts.
Göbel's Legal Troubles
A predecessor company of Aachener, SinnLeffers, was also involved in a legal dispute with Göbel in 2017. In this case, a Munich court sentenced him to a fine for intentional insolvency delay. Yet, this is not his first brush with the law, as he was also previously convicted for driving without a license.
His spelling and name have varied, with the commercial register listing him as Friedrich Wilhelm Goebel, while other sources use Friedrich-Wilhelm Göbel. A court appearance to address additional charges in mid-December 2022 seems unlikely for Göbel, who remains on the run.
Business Partners in Limbo
For Göbel's business partners, the legal proceedings surrounding his ex-Aachener position are a waiting game. Torsten Altenscheidt, managing director of TEH's sole shareholder ALA Beteiligungs GmbH, is keeping a watchful eye on the situation but refrains from speculating on future developments. Meanwhile, the court case raises questions about the future of the Aachener and Sinn businesses.
Göbel's Marital Struggles and Business Fallout
Göbel's dramatic fall from grace can be traced back to his marital feud with then-wife Isabella Göbel, who claimed ownership of the company in a contract. Following their separation, a bitter battle ensued between the ex-spouses, causing tens of thousands of Sinn and Aachener employees to face potential job losses and uncertain futures.
References: [1] "Karstadt Rescuer Göbel Arrested in Oberitaly on European Arrest Warrant for Insolvency Misconduct," German Online News, Oct. 14, 2024. Available at .
