RBB crisis
Schlesinger dismissed without notice – interim boss demanded
RBB board director Dorette König makes a press statement. photo
© Monika Skolimowska/dpa
The RBB board of directors makes a clear cut when terminating the contract with the recalled director Schlesinger. An interim broadcaster boss is to lead the ARD broadcaster out of the crisis.
The director of the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), Patricia Schlesinger, who has come under massive criticism and was dismissed, is dismissed without notice and receives no severance pay. In addition, an interim director is to be appointed for the RBB management. He should help to lead the public ARD broadcaster out of the current crisis.
The acting chairwoman of the RBB board of directors, Dorette König, announced both decisions on Monday after a council meeting in Berlin. A name for a transitional director has not yet been mentioned.
König said that as a precaution Schlesinger would be terminated without notice. The decision was made by a majority. One wants to protect the rights of the RBB against the 61-year-old in the interest of the contributors as best as possible. A week ago, Schlesinger had already been recalled by the Broadcasting Council – the second control body.
The Board of Directors is also convinced that the structural analysis and realignment can only succeed with external support, as König further said. They want to develop a timetable for this in the next few days. At the same time, the current RBB management was asked to continue to carry out its tasks to ensure stability.
Administrative Director under criticism
König said yes to the question of whether the council wanted administrative director Hagen Brandstätter, who is currently running the business, to make room for an interim director at the highest broadcasting post. However, the council did not demand the immediate resignation of Brandtäter, who is currently on sick leave. At the weekend, he and the RBB management came under increasing criticism for dealing with the allegations of nepotism against Schlesinger.
Since the end of June, Schlesinger has been exposed to numerous allegations of nepotism and nepotism, mainly through reports from the online medium “Business Insider”. She has been ARD chairwoman since the beginning of the year and RBB director since 2016. She resigned from both positions.
Investigations of the Attorney General’s Office
At the center of the scandal is the recalled director and the resigned RBB head of the board of directors, Wolf-Dieter Wolf. Both rejected the allegations against them. Among other things, it is about controversial consulting contracts for an RBB construction project, about agreements between the two on salary and bonuses for Schlesinger. And for orders for her husband, the ex-“Spiegel” journalist Gerhard Spörl at the Berlin Exhibition Center – where Wolf was also chief supervisor until recently.
The Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating all three for breach of trust and acceptance of benefits. It is the presumption of innocence. An external investigation into a law firm is also underway. There are no results available yet.