The point of this story is...everyone can unintentionally make an honest mistake. Admit it, and you'll be ok. You acted in good faith. No bad or dishonest intentions. But then, even though it's human to try to cover up mistakes, the cover-up - unlike the original mistake - is intentional, and can be construed as bad faith. That's a big difference. If you get caught covering up mistakes, you just turned an innocent mistake into intentional deception. All that being said, German authorities didn't pursue him, and most people seem to have some empathy with him when he finally laid all cards on the table. There but for the grace of God comes to my mind again, I wouldn't crucify him.