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An executive at Volksbank Köln Bonn is stepping down following intense scrutiny over a controversial pandemic-era loan. The Official Finding: Volksbank Köln Bonn announced that an independent law firm's investigation into board member Jürgen Neutgens found no evidence of financial irregularities, misconduct, or wrongdoing regarding the financing. The Reason for Departure: Despite clearing the internal lending review, the bank stated that the necessary basis for a relationship of trust and impartial cooperation can no longer be maintained going forward. Background of the Probe: Over the summer, Neutgens was placed on leave after Cologne prosecutors and financial regulator BaFin began scrutinizing a €5 million pandemic-era loan used to help finance the acquisition of Cologne's famous Pascha brothel. Prostitution is legal in Germany, but the unusual nature of the loan and potential connections to bribery or kickbacks triggered broad regulatory and internal reviews. Denial of Wrongdoing: Neutgens consistently denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers maintained that accusations were unfounded.