The Intractable Ruhegeld Dispute: Schlesinger vs. RBB
Quietness Prevails: No Words Spoken, Only Peaceful Hush - Contentious pension benefit discussions: Schlesinger and RBB fail to find a common ground
Let's dive into the unyielding spat between Patricia Schlesinger, former RBB director, and the broadcaster itself, all boiling down to a hefty pension dispute. Ever since Schlesinger's dismissal in 2022, she's been locked in a legal battle with the RBB over what she claims to be her rightful €18,300 monthly pension payments.
The alleged battle of wits commenced when Schlesinger took the RBB to court, pleading her case for the cushy pension sum. To add fuel to the fire, the RBB retaliated with a countersuit, demanding damages and the repayment of a colossal variable remuneration in the millions. The RBB aims to pin the blame on Schlesinger for alleged breaches of duty.
In an attempt to resolve this contentious feud, the Berlin Regional Court encouraged mediation in a January hearing. But alas, after two grueling hours of negotiations between the two parties, no common ground could be found. As of now, the court has set a date for a decision announcement on the matter, expected to unfold on July 4.
The Players
- RBB: The center of this intricate drama, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg finds itself mired in a legal quagmire with its former director.
- Patricia Schlesinger: Once the powerful chairperson of ARD and the RBB director, her tenure was marked by numerous allegations of misconduct and waste of fee income, leading to her resignation and subsequent dismissal by the RBB's supervisory board without notice.
Crucial Aspects
- The primary point of contention: €18,300 in monthly pension payments that the RBB refuses to pay to Schlesinger, whom they believe is indisputably entitled to a more conservative pension.
- The legal skirmish doesn't just revolve around Schlesinger's pension—it's a fight over the very principle and scope of Ruhegeld (retirement pension) payments in German public broadcasting.
- As the legal battle rages on, investigations run parallel in the courts and the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office, probing the wider RBB scandal involving Schlesinger. However, she maintains her innocence throughout the proceedings.
In essence, this is a convoluted saga of a fiery, high-stakes legal conflict, shedding light on matters of governance and financial accountability in public broadcasting.
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The finance department of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) is under scrutiny due to the ongoing legal dispute over Patricia Schlesinger's pension settlement, a critical aspect in the business realm of public broadcasting. The settlement, if reached, could significantly impact the financial standing of both parties.
