Gauleiter Karl Kaufmann

[HM]

1928/1929 Karl Kaufmann was suspended from all his party positions. He accused both the wife of Gauleiter Erich Koch and Viktor Lutze (“Ehebruch”/”Verleumdung”) of matrimonial misconduct. He was also accused of wearing some decorations (“Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse, Offizierbeobachtungs-Abzeichen”)to which he wasn’t entitled. Also 1929 he was subject to a “staatsanwaltschaftliches Verfahren wegen schwerer Urkundenfälschung“.(§ 267 Abs.2 BGB). This could be punished with up to five years in prison. Was he ever convicted?.

I have a letter from the USCHLA/Bezirk Bergisch Land/Niederrhein in which is stated: „…zwingen letzteres dazu, Kaufmann die Honorigkeit abzusprechen…“. What does this mean?

HM.

[Halfdan S.]

"…the last mentioned forces (us/me?) to strip Kaufmann of the honorable title …"

[Michal78]

Nice photo of K.Kaufmann. Any suggestion who is the SA leader next to him?
Michal

[laurens]

Hi Michal,

That's SA San-Gruppenführer Fritz Lauerbach.

Best,
Laurens

[Br. James]

There seems to be some confusion in the account of Karl Kaufmann's legal troubles and accusations, according to HM's account from 2016 above. As HM states it: "1928/1929 Karl Kaufmann was suspended from all his party positions. He accused both the wife of Gauleiter Erich Koch and Viktor Lutze (“Ehebruch”/”Verleumdung”) of matrimonial misconduct." Who actually accused whom? Did Kaufmann accuse Erich Koch's wife and Viktor Lutze, or was Kaufmann accused by them? My understanding of the situation is that in 1926, Kaufmann was accused by Gauleiter Erich Koch of embezzling Party funds. A Party investigative commission (probably USCHLA under Walter Buch) found him guilty of adultery with the wife of a fellow NSDAP member.

I wonder what the true story was?

Br. James

[Michal78]

Thank you, Laurens.
Michal