Berlin prosecutors have filed criminal charges against former RBB director Patricia Schlesinger and senior staff over alleged fraudulent payments totalling roughly €934,000, commencing investigations in August 2022.
Prosecution Charges Against RBB Leadership
On Thursday, the General Prosecutor’s Office in Berlin announced a formal indictment against former RBB director Patricia Schlesinger, the former administrative director, the former legal department manager, and the former chair of RBB’s Board of Directors. The charges stem from alleged acts that have supposedly damaged the broadcaster’s assets between January 2018 and July 2022.
Alleged Fraudulent Payments
Schlesinger faces 26 counts, while 81‑year‑old Wolf‑Dieter Wolf is charged with 13 offenses, the former administrative director with 5, and the former legal manager with 6. Seven of the cases are described as particularly serious due to the scale of loss or the nature of the conduct.
Illegal Bonuses, Allowances and Severances
The prosecution accuses the accused of deliberately bypassing the board’s oversight and the principles of financial prudence. Between April 2019 and May 2022, payments totaling a gross €934,000 were allegedly made unlawfully, of which about €224,000 were allocated to Schlesinger.
Private Events Charged to the Station
Additional allegations involve illicit payouts linked to RBB’s integration into the ARD network, resulting in a loss of roughly €122,000, and a €663,000 payment to a former employee who had retired, both paid without legal basis. The former director is also accused of invoicing RBB for private receptions in her own home.
Denial of Allegations
Schlesinger’s lawyer has declared that his client acted solely in RBB’s interest and announced a dismissal of all accusations. The case is currently pending before the court.
