Corruption in Germany: RBB director Schlesinger is dismissed without notice

The recalled director of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), Patricia Schlesinger, was dismissed without notice and should therefore not receive any severance pay or pension payments. The acting chairwoman of the RBB board of directors, Dorette König, announced this after a meeting of the council in Berlin. A week ago, Schlesinger was recalled by the Broadcasting Council.

In addition, the RBB Council advocated the appointment of an interim director. According to the broadcaster, administrative director Hagen Brandstätter, who is currently on sick leave, is currently running the business. Brandstäter has also been criticized for dealing with allegations of nepotism against Schlesinger.

Since the end of June, Schlesinger has been exposed to numerous allegations of misappropriation of funds and nepotism as a result of media reports. She has been ARD chairwoman since the beginning of this year and RBB director since 2016. She has since resigned from both positions. The former director is accused, among other things, of incorrectly billing dinner in her private apartment as an official meal – also with the Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik, who was then dismayed and distanced herself from Schlesinger.

Investigations against Schlesinger and confidants are ongoing
At the center of the scandal are the recalled director, her husband Gerhard Spörl and the RBB board director Wolf-Dieter Wolf, who has since resigned. Both rejected the allegations. Among other things, it is about controversial consulting contracts for a construction project of the public broadcaster and agreements between Wolf and Schlesinger on salary and bonuses. Orders for the husband and ex - Der Spiegel journalist Gerhard Spörl at the Berlin Exhibition Center - where Wolf was also chief supervisor until recently - may also be justifiable.

The public prosecutor's office is now investigating Schlesinger, her husband Spörl and the former head of the board of directors, Wolf. The case had caused outrage across Germany. Junge Freiheit has started a petition for the abolition of public service broadcasting, which almost 150,000 people have signed so far.

Source: Junge Freiheit