German Defence Minister Resigns Over Plagiarism Scandal

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg copied parts of his doctoral thesis from newspaper articles.

Students take note: plagiarism can cost you. In February the German media began reporting that Guttenberg, the most popular figure in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, had nicked large parts of his 2007 Bayreuth University doctoral thesis on constitutional law from speeches, newspapers, and dissertations. While polls showed a majority of Germans supported him, he announced Tuesday he would step down amid a growing chorus of condemnation from the country’s media and academics. Last month he admitted he had made “serious mistakes” in his thesis and said he would drop his academic title “Dr.” from his name. Two days later Bayreuth revoked his degree.