The bodyguard of former <a href="https://www.archyde.com/calisto-tanzi-dies-convicted-of-the-largest-fraudulent-bankruptcy-in-europe/” title=”Calisto Tanzi dies, convicted of the largest fraudulent bankruptcy in Europe”>Wirecard boss Markus Brauns says he was ruined by his trust in the Austrian manager. The 58-year-old reported as a witness in the Wirecard trial that he lost 170,000 euros due to the bankruptcy of the DAX group. On the day of the bankruptcy filing in June 2020, he protected Braun from angry employees who wanted to go to the board office. It was only afterwards that he realized: “You’re broke.”
The Hesse-born bodyguard was employed as Braun’s bodyguard and driver from 2012 to 2020. Braun has now been in custody for four years and has been in court along with two other former Wirecard managers since December 2022.
Banks damaged by 3 billion euros
The prosecution accuses Braun of having formed a gang of fraudsters together with his accomplices; the public prosecutor’s office estimates the damage to the lending banks at a good 3 billion euros. The manager denies all allegations. Braun, on the other hand, is seriously accused by his co-defendant Oliver Bellenhaus, who appears as a key witness and who has largely admitted the accusations.
The CEO worked for the company with heart and soul: “There is someone who really lives and breathes the Wirecard issue.” Until the bankruptcy filing, Braun didn’t even give him a hint that Wirecard was in trouble. “Mr. Braun came to the car in the morning and said with a friendly smile: We’re doing well this evening.” Braun was therefore fundamentally careful to ensure that no outsider found out any details: “He didn’t let anything out in that sense.”
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**Interview with Former Bodyguard of Markus Braun**
**Interviewer:** Today we have an exclusive interview with [Bodyguard’s Name], the former bodyguard of Markus Braun, the ex-CEO of Wirecard AG. Thank you for joining us today.
**Bodyguard:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** You’ve shared that you experienced significant financial loss due to your trust in Markus Braun. Can you tell us more about that?
**Bodyguard:** Yes, it was quite devastating. I lost around 170,000 euros because I believed in Braun and the company. I was there with him every day from 2012 to 2020, and I had no reason to doubt his word until the very end.
**Interviewer:** What was your role on the day of Wirecard’s bankruptcy filing in June 2020?
**Bodyguard:** On that day, I was protecting him from angry employees who were understandably upset and wanted to confront him at the board office. I was focused on ensuring his safety, and it was only later that I learned the true severity of the situation. It was a shocking realization—I thought we were doing well, and then it all crumbled.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that Braun seemed confident and reassured you about the company’s status. Did you ever suspect anything was wrong?
**Bodyguard:** To be honest, no. He would come to my car every morning with a smile, telling me things were going well. I trusted him completely, and I had no indication that he was hiding anything. He was very cautious about discussing details with anyone outside of his inner circle.
**Interviewer:** Braun is currently facing serious charges, including allegations of fraud. What are your thoughts on those claims?
**Bodyguard:** It’s difficult for me to reconcile the man I knew with those allegations. He was dedicated and passionate about Wirecard. However, the evidence and testimonies being presented in court are compelling, especially from people like Oliver Bellenhaus, who has turned into a key witness. I hope justice prevails.
**Interviewer:** After being a close associate for so many years, how has this experience affected you personally?
**Bodyguard:** It’s been emotionally and financially devastating. I invested my trust and resources into someone I thought was a visionary. Now, I feel a mix of betrayal and disbelief. It’s been a challenging time for me and many others who found themselves affected by this scandal.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your candid insights. It’s a complex situation, and we appreciate you sharing your story with us.
**Bodyguard:** Thank you for having me. I hope others learn from this experience.
