Tesla’s Legal Challenge Collapses as Court Rejects Appeal Over Secret Recording Claims
Published on 07/28/2026 at 01:20 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A German state prosecutor has thrown out Tesla’s appeal against the closure of a criminal investigation into an IG Metall union secretary, ending one chapter in a bitter workplace dispute at the electric carmaker’s Brandenburg factory.
The General Prosecutor’s Office in Brandenburg ruled on July 27, 2026, that Tesla’s complaint was unfounded. The decision upholds an earlier ruling by local prosecutors, who had already dropped the case on April 8, 2026, citing insufficient evidence.
How the Dispute Began
The legal battle started in early 2026. On February 10, Tesla filed a criminal complaint accusing an IG Metall secretary of secretly recording a works council meeting. The company alleged the act violated Germany’s legal protections for the confidentiality of spoken words.
Prosecutors spent weeks reviewing the case but found no proof to support the allegations. Tesla challenged that decision, leading to the final review by the higher authority.
Forensic Evidence Clears Union Official
A technical analysis conducted by the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) played a decisive role. Investigators found no traces of recording equipment or audio files that would back Tesla’s claims, according to judicial sources.
Based on that forensic report, the General Prosecutor’s Office concluded that Tesla’s appeal had no legal merit. The case against the union secretary is now closed for good.
Social Media War and Counter-Complaint
The conflict spilled into public view when plant manager Thierig aired the suspicions on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. That move backfired. IG Metall filed a separate criminal complaint against Thierig, accusing him of defamation for spreading unverified allegations online.
While the original recording case is resolved, the defamation complaint remains active. The episode underscores the frayed relations between Tesla’s management and organized labor at the Brandenburg site, where tensions over working conditions and union rights have simmered for months.
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