The good reputation of these works was, however, almost destroyed by a controversial dramatic satire, "Doktor Bahrdt mit der eisernen Stirn" ("Doctor Bahrdt with the Iron Brow"), which appeared in 1790 with the name of Knigge on the title page. Written in response to contention between J.G. Zimmermann and leaders of Berlin's party of the Enlightenment, it linked each of Zimmermann's opponents to a particular sexual perversion. Kotzebue denied authorship, even when the police began to investigate the matter. This alienated both Zimmermann and Knigge, formerly his allies, and also gained Kotzebue a reputation for dishonesty and lasciviousness that he would never shake off.