According to the court, the crisis-ridden Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) is demanding money back from the director Patricia Schlesinger, who was dismissed without notice. A spokeswoman for the Berlin Regional Court said at the request of the German Press Agency that the public media company was demanding the repayment of variable remuneration. The exact amount was not given by the court. The portal "Business Insider" reports that it is about a claim of 250,000 euros. The ominous bonus system alone caused damage of 150,000 euros. In addition, there would be sums for allegedly incorrectly billed dinners in Schlesinger's private domicile.

Lawsuit against lawsuit

According to the court, this is a so-called counterclaim. This is therefore related to an already existing lawsuit, which had been filed by the ex-station boss Schlesinger, who was dismissed without notice, and which is directed against RBB. Her media lawyer had announced in February that it was about a company pension and 18,384.54 euros per month would be sued.

According to the court, the plaintiff is claiming a "pension" on the basis of a terminated employment relationship. A retirement pension means that even after the termination of an employment relationship, under certain conditions, you will receive money from your former employer. RBB had not commented on the proceedings at the time. A trial date has not yet been announced.

The ARD broadcaster, which is financed by broadcasting fees from citizens and companies, plunged into a deep crisis in the summer of 2022. Accusations of nepotism and waste arose. Schlesinger was summarily dismissed. At the center of the scandal, in addition to the ex-director, is the resigned chief supervisor of the station, Wolf-Dieter Wolf. Both denied allegations. The Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating, the presumption of innocence applies. In the midst of the scandal, personnel policy and a non-transparent bonus system for executives in the station also came into focus, which was then abolished.

The position of artistic director has been advertised

Meanwhile, RBB has officially begun the search for a new director. Applications for a five-year term are open until April 30, according to the job posting. The RBB freelancer said that its own expectations of the new manager would be thoroughly discussed in the coming weeks, "so that the Broadcasting Council also knows what to look for in the selection".

Among other things, the RBB job advertisement states that they are looking for an "empathetic personality" with several years of management and budget experience, visions of the public broadcasting of the future and experience in crisis management. A "strong communication skills", knowledge of the Brandenburg and Berlin region as well as "the proven ability and willingness" to include the competencies of the workforce are also expected.

Since September, former WDR head of administration Katrin Vernau has been in office at RBB as interim director for a maximum of one year. A few weeks ago, she announced savings of 49 million euros in RBB, citing "mismanagement in recent years".