An examination commissioned by the North German Broadcasting Corporation indicates that the alleged conduct that caused Patricia Schlesinger to resign as director of the Berlin Brandenburg Broadcasting Corporation and chairwoman of the ARD may not be entirely new.

There it is examined how the order for the film “The Good Goering” was awarded in 2016.

At the time, Patricia Schlesinger was head of the culture and documentation program at NDR. One of the scriptwriters for the docu-drama was her husband, the journalist Gerhard Spörl.

Michael Hanfeld

responsible editor for feuilleton online and "media".

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NDR reports that the docu-drama “The Good Goering” was a co-production of Vincent TV with NDR and BR.

The screenwriters Jörg Brückner and Gerhard Spörl were hired by the production company Vincent TV, which offered the project in 2014.

At that time, Patricia Schlesinger headed the "Culture and Documentaries" program area responsible for documentaries.

The connection between Gerhard Spörl and Patricia Schlesinger was known and "all those responsible in the NDR" were aware of the "possible conflict of interest".

The production was therefore commissioned with the approval of the television directorate.

In addition, the project was handed over to the responsibility of the program area "NDR television and coordination" "to avoid a possible conflict of interest".

The editors of the "Culture and Documentaries" program area remained responsible for the content.

The economic decisions were made in accordance with "the four-eyes principle provided for in the NDR together with the NDR production department".

Nevertheless, the events of that time are now being examined again.

In the meantime, the independently working anti-corruption officer intervened of her own accord after receiving an inquiry from outside the NDR.

The anti-corruption officer is also the head of auditing at the NDR.

You work independently of the broadcaster.

Nevertheless, the events of that time are now being examined again.

In the meantime, the independently working anti-corruption officer intervened of her own accord after receiving an inquiry from outside the NDR.

The anti-corruption officer is also the head of auditing at the NDR.

You work independently of the broadcaster.

Nevertheless, the events of that time are now being examined again.

In the meantime, the independently working anti-corruption officer intervened of her own accord after receiving an inquiry from outside the NDR.

The anti-corruption officer is also the head of auditing at the NDR.

You work independently of the broadcaster.

In the RBB, the team of five journalists formed to investigate came across an incident from February 2021.

There is a suspicion that Patricia Schlesinger incorrectly billed entertainment costs.

There were "statements and documents that confirm the suspicion of fraud".

Schlesinger told the broadcaster at the time that Berlinale director Mariette Rissenbeek and her companions were guests in her private rooms.

The meeting was reported as "official".

RBB was billed for the costs of the caterer.

When asked, however, the Berlinale boss said that she had come to the appointment alone because of the Corona rules, but Schlesinger's husband was also present.

This process would coincide with the other cases that have become known through research by journalists from "Business Insider": Accounts from the caterer commissioned by Patricia Schlesinger, which are said to have been changed afterwards and were at the expense of the RBB.

Severance or permanent?

The RBB quotes the employment lawyer Livia Merla.

If the allegations are substantiated and the former director has fraudulently billed entertainment costs, according to Merla, this could result in termination without notice.

The RBB Broadcasting Council, which is meeting next Monday for a special session, is currently considering the modalities of Schlesinger's resignation or termination.

Schlesinger resigned from her position as director with reference to her service contract, which mentions a six-month "notice period".

That would mean that she either remains in office formally until the end of February 2023 or receives a severance package.

However, if one came across something relevant under criminal law at RBB, a termination without notice, which has already been demanded by politicians, could take place without severance pay.

The official website of Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg did not want to comment on the latest find in the affair, which is by no means of the same size.

With reference to the investigations by the public prosecutor, one does not want to comment on the processes.

According to the RBB research team, Patricia Schlesinger did not respond to inquiries.

The broadcasting council and the board of directors of the RBB had announced that they did not want to comment on legal steps against the former director at the moment, "since Patricia Schlesinger's contract termination is currently being negotiated".