In March 2015 Edathy admitted to having downloaded, with his official laptop, videos and pictures of naked minors from the Internet. He has acknowledged he made a mistake. Following Edathy's admission, the Verden District Court in the German state of Lower Saxony handed the former Social Democrats (SPD) deputy a fine of 5,000 euros ($5,600), bringing the trial to an end. Technically the pictures were not illegal and Edathy has denied possessing child pornography. As the prosecution was halted he has not been convicted. The ex-MP will not have a criminal record.