Trash Scandal Trial Starts in Cologne

The trial of three men accused of giving or accepting bribes in connection with the construction of a waste incineration plant has started in Cologne. The defendants include the former general manager of the construction company for the plant, Sigfried Michelfelder, the former general manager of the city-owned waste removal company, Ulrich Eisermann, and a former leading politician in Cologne's Social Democratic Party, Norbert Rüther. Michelfelder allegedly paid about €5 million ($5.95 million) to Eisermann, who manipulated competing bids so that Michelfelder's company was awarded the €405 million contract, according to the indictment. Rüther allegedly received about €1 million from Eisermann to secure political support for the controversial project. The trial is expected to last a year. For health reasons, the trials of two other defendants have been postponed.