In an unexpected turn of events, the man formerly hailed as Karstadt's Frankfurt branch savior, Friedrich-Wilhelm Göbel, is now evading authorities. Last sighted in Frankfurt, where his Aachener took over several Karstadt Kaufhof locations, Göbel now faces allegations of insolvency-related wrongdoing.
Aachener's Insolvency and Göbel's Elusive Presence
Initially lauded as a potential answer, Aachener, now under new leadership, filed for bankruptcy in late November 2022. Göbel, who promised reopening of the department store on November 23 via an email, has been out of reach ever since.
Frantic Times for Karstadt Frankfurt
With Aachener's downfall, the fate of the Frankfurt Karstadt branch hangs in the balance. At present, TEH Textilhandel GmbH, the company behind Aachener, has chosen silence in response to queries regarding their staff and Göbel's whereabouts.
Göbel's Legal Woes
A company precursor to Aachener, SinnLeffers, had its own legal tussle with Göbel in 2017. The Munich court handed a fine for intentional insolvency delay against him then. Prior convictions included driving without a license. However, Göbel seems unlikely to face renewed charges in the court appearances slated for mid-December 2022, given his current status as a fugitive.
Göbel's Business Neighbors in Limbo
For Göbel's business associates, the legal proceedings involving his previous Aachener role serve as a waiting game. Torsten Altenscheidt, managing director of ALA Beteiligungs GmbH, the sole shareholder of TEH, keeps a vigilante eye on the situation, avoiding speculations on forthcoming developments. Meanwhile, the court proceedings raise questions about the future of Aachener and Sinn enterprises.
Göbel's Matrimonial Woes and Business Fallout
Göbel's downfall can be traced back to his marital turbulence with then-spouse Isabella Göbel, who asserted ownership of the company in a contract. Post-separation, a bitter dispute ensued between the ex-spouses, causing job uncertainties and potential layoffs for over 20,000 Sinn and Achener employees.
