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The Hannover district court let the 54-year-old go on Thursday morning, two years after he resigned in disgrace from his role as German President – a largely ceremonial position.
"The accused Wulff has been found not guilty," presiding judge Frank Rosenow told the court, adding that Wulff was entitled to compensation for police searches in the investigation.
Wulff stood accused of having allowed a film producer friend to pay some of his travel expenses during a 2008 Munich visit while he was state premier of Lower Saxony, in return for helping him promote a movie project.
Prosecutors charged that the film industry financier, David Groenewold, paid part of Wulff's hotel room bill, babysitting costs and a restaurant meal, totalling just over €700 euros.
If he were to have been found guilty, he would have faced up to three years in jail or a fine.
The verdict marked the end of a legal and political drama around the one-time conservative rising star who fell from power and grace amid claims he took favours from rich friends and tried to bully the media into silence.
'Personal damage'
cascade of reports about other favours, including luxury holidays.
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