An RBB manager is said to receive around 700,000 euros, although he no longer works for the broadcaster: the public prosecutor's office is expanding its investigation into felt and excessive salaries. In addition to the director, who was fired without notice, two management cadres who are still in office are also being targeted.
In the affair surrounding Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office has expanded the investigation. A spokesman for the authorities confirmed on request that these were now also directed against two executives from the current management of the ARD broadcaster. The RBB had previously reported about it. According to a spokesman for the authorities, it is about the suspicion of infidelity and aiding and abetting infidelity with a view to the introduction of a variable remuneration system and continued salary payments to employees who are no longer employed. According to RBB, the extended investigations are aimed at the administrative director and former deputy director and the legal director of the station.
In one of these cases it is a part-time manager. He still holds a permanent position in the Legal Directorate. According to RBB research, he will receive 700,000 euros until 2026, although he no longer works for the broadcaster. Not only the former director Patricia Schlesinger, but also the legal director signed a corresponding "early retirement offer" for the then 57-year-old.
The RBB announced that we ask for your understanding that there is no statement at the moment. "Based on this new information, we are currently reviewing the legal consequences and options for action." The chairman of the Broadcasting Council control body, Ralf Roggenbuck, said that there would be a meeting between him and his deputy and interim director Katrin Vernau on Wednesday, during which the investigations should also be addressed.
So far, the public prosecutor's office has been investigating against the director Patricia Schlesinger, who was fired without notice, her husband and former "Spiegel" journalist Gerhard Spörl and the resigned station chief inspector Wolf-Dieter Wolf on suspicion of infidelity and accepting advantages.
The affair had started with media reports of allegations of nepotism and the felt. It's about controversial consulting contracts for a construction project by the public broadcaster that has now been put on hold, undisclosed bonus payments for executives, a hefty salary increase for Schlesinger, the billing of food with invited guests in her private apartment at RBB's expense, controversial Travel and coaching assignments for Schlesinger's husband at the state-owned Messe Berlin. Wolf was also chief inspector there in personal union.
Some time ago, the trade fair supervisory board specifically announced that a compliance investigation had shown that there were no violations of public procurement law and that the orders for the trade fair had been awarded correctly.
