A prominent lawyer, Claus B.

, is under investigation for allegedly leading a smuggling ring that helped wealthy foreigners, particularly from China and Oman, obtain residence permits in Germany.

Recent reports reveal that he had more meetings with members of the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) government than previously disclosed, primarily through his role at a Berlin lobbying agency.

These meetings included discussions with key officials, including NRW Environment Minister Oliver Krischer and State Secretary Bernd Schulte.

The investigation, which began in 2020, suggests that the smuggling ring may have involved bribing officials to secure permits, with fees reaching up to €350,000. Authorities are currently investigating 58 individuals connected to the case, including local politicians, as the scandal unfolds.