The Berlin public prosecutor’s office has formally charged former RBB (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg) director Patricia Schlesinger and three other former executives with embezzlement, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing scandal engulfing the regional broadcaster. The charges, announced Thursday, allege a systematic pattern of financial mismanagement detrimental to the public’s trust and resources.
The prosecution’s focus centers on allegations of improper payments of variable remuneration components and bonuses between 2018 and 2022. Schlesinger faces accusations in 26 separate instances, while the former chairman of the administrative board is implicated in 13, the former administrative director in five and the former legal director in six. Seven of these instances are classified as particularly egregious, suggesting a potential for substantial penalties if found guilty.
Beyond the direct financial disbursements, the charges extend to dubious retirement and release arrangements for employees, as well as the alleged misuse of public funds to cover private hospitality and travel expenses. Critics are already questioning the extent to which such practices, if proven, reflect a broader culture of impunity within the RBB’s leadership and highlight a potential lack of oversight from the administrative board.
The individuals charged have denied the allegations. The investigation, launched in August 2022 following initial accusations, has severely damaged the RBB’s reputation and cast a shadow over its ability to serve the public effectively. While acknowledging the presumption of innocence for all defendants, the prosecutor’s decision to pursue charges signals a determination to address what appears to be a significant breach of fiduciary duty and potential abuse of power within the broadcaster. The case is expected to draw intense public scrutiny and will likely prompt a renewed assessment of governance structures within regional public broadcasting organizations across Germany.