Kirch

Strassburg by the eastern side of the river, and for that purpose cross over to a place called Kirch-hoff, on the opposite bank.’

Anne of Geierstein 2008

Deutsche Bank is nearing a $1 billion settlement of decade-old claims that the bank's ex-CEO help drive Kirch Group into bankruptcy.

What's News: Business & Finance 2012

Deutsche Bank fought the Kirch lawsuit in a public war on its home turf for 10 years—nearly the entire tenure of Chief Executive Josef Ackermann —and many of its top executives were summoned to a Munich courtroom for testimony.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012

In a 2002 television interview, Deutsche Bank's then-CEO Rolf Breuer said it was unlikely anyone would give Mr. Kirch more credit.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012

Under the original claim, Mr. Kirch sought more than €3 billion.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012

Late last year, a German court said it was dropping criminal-fraud charges against Mr. Breuer after he paid a €350,000 settlement in connection with the Kirch trial.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012

Mr. Kirch also alleged Mr. Breuer sought to damage his company in order to obtain a lucrative deal to split the media empire up.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012

FRANKFURT— Deutsche Bank AG is closing in on an agreement to pay about €800 million $1 billion to settle decade-old claims that a former chief executive helped drive German media company Kirch Group into bankruptcy, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012

Separately, Mr. Kirch's lawyers asked prosecutors to investigate whether Deutsche Bank improperly used private detectives to spy on members of the Kirch legal team, according to court records.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012

Leo Kirch, whose media company collapsed in 2002 in Germany's largest postwar bankruptcy, died in July at age 84, but his heirs have continued to pursue the case against Deutsche Bank.

Deutsche-Kirch Deal on Tap Laura Stevens 2012