Nine months ago, six women in the SPIEGEL accused the long-time crime scene coordinator and former WDR film director Gebhard Henke, 63, of having molested her sexually. Henke had touched her and groped her, caught her on the buttocks or on her stomach, hinted that she was going to encourage her, and apparently expected physical benefits.

Only the actress Nina Petri and the author and presenter Charlotte Roche went with her name to the public. At the time, Roche described how Henke greeted her at an event: "He gave me the right hand and at the same time laid the left one in the middle of my bottom." She had tried to move away, but he had moved, she said. "That was bad and lasted forever." Petri reported suggestive slogans.

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Charlotte Roche says Gebard Henke has spoken to her in public

The other four remained anonymous. To protect yourself and your family. Not to endanger your career. And not to be labeled as liars and legally prosecuted.

These fears should prove true. Because Henke went on the offensive and complained, not only against the SPIEGEL, but also against Charlotte Roche personally.

All this after he had settled out of court with the WDR. The station had terminated Henke without notice after a dozen women reported there. Even then Henke complained, but agreed a few hours before the court date out of court. The conditions should keep everyone involved in silence.

However, according to Henke's own claim, he was "largely made economically as he would if his employment continued until retirement". That means: Henke does not work anymore, but has hardly any financial losses. The WDR has not commented on request so far.

In a big interview with the "Time" Henke also asserted his innocence after the termination, scolding WDR and SPIEGEL. There have been no abuses or sexual assaults, but his reputation is now ruined. His attorney, who was present at the interview, described the anonymous witnesses as "frustrated" because they were no longer busy, their screenplays would not be accepted.

At about the same time, Henke sued Charlotte Roche and SPIEGEL and demanded that the allegations against him in public not be repeated. If you do not stick to it, threaten a fine of up to 250,000 euros or legal custody. In addition, SPIEGEL and the authors of the text demanded compensation of 100,000 euros, because the article "destroyed" Henkes' "professional reputation" and "personal honor".

Violent attacks against Charlotte Roche

Henke also tried to discredit the witnesses and the journalists. For example, his lawyer claimed that one of the SPIEGEL authors had "freely invented" the quotes of anonymous women. The existence of tapes of the discussions with the witnesses, whose transcripts had submitted to the SPIEGEL inclusive affidavit in court, they questioned. He also whispered: "Der SPIEGEL and the head of WDR collude against the plaintiff."

The attacks against Charlotte Roche were particularly violent. Thus, Henke and his lawyer spoke in the application of a "literally wrong idea", claiming that it was "physically not possible" for him to shake Roche's hand in public at the same time and hold him by the butt without witnessing it have given. His lawyers even suggested that the judges readjust the scene in court or at the scene, the Kino Astor in Cologne. In addition, it was "not believable" that the author of the novel "wetlands" this "after their representation yet reasonably massive attack" not rejected.

In another brief from last December, they became even more personal. There is an entire chapter entitled "On the credibility of the defendant". In it Henkes lawyer spread for pages, why Roche "almost addicted to public attention" was. She appeared as a star witness in SPIEGEL to draw attention to her column at "SZ Magazin", which started shortly after the article. Previously, she had been unsuccessful for years, which you can easily see their Wikipedia entry, so Henke's lawyer.

He also described her as a "sinning liar". As proof of this should serve a story that Roche 2007 television moderator Harald Schmidt told in its mission - and refers to a story from 1990. At the age of twelve Roche lied in order not to write a Latin paper.

Seven other women accuse Henke of harassment

"I was really scared that he wins and me and the other women as liars," says Roche the now SPIEGEL. "I would have stayed with my version and gone to jail for it."

In spite of pending proceedings, she told Markus Lanz on the talk show in November that she had been sued by Henke and that the trial was soon to come. "That was a turning point," says Roche. After that, new victims would have reported to her, which had previously spoken neither with the WDR nor the SPIEGEL, so Roche. They offered their help.

Henke apparently did not suspect it until the end. Only a few days before the trial, his lawyer submitted further documents to the court, in which he again claimed page by page that the reporting was invented in SPIEGEL and the authors lie. But two days before the trial, last Monday, the court - and thus Henke - received a brief from Roche's lawyer, who had it all. In it, seven other women raised allegations against Gebhard Henke. Again it was about lewd comments, Po-Grapscher in public, hands on the thigh and unwanted kisses.

All seven women gave the statements, giving their full name. There are very successful women from the film industry - professors, directors, a producer and a WDR employee. The records are available to SPIEGEL, but at the request of the women, their names are not published.

Not 24 hours before the trial Henke then withdrew his complaint. Charlotte Roche may say so, to have been groped by Gebhard Henke on the butt. And the SPIEGEL may continue to report on the allegations of sexual harassment, which continues to deny Henke. On an official reason, why he does not proceed in court against the reporting, waived Henke.

The WDR would not comment on request.