RBB administrative director Hagen Brandstätter (64) skipped the court date and sent his lawyer Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa
By Michael Sauerbier
His contract is terminated, but his greed doesn’t end. On Friday, the fired RBB deputy boss Hagen Brandstätter (64) sued the scandal broadcaster before the labor court. He demands 238,355 euros – for going for a walk.
“Lifelong post-contractual pension” wants Brandstätter from RBB. Although his contract expires at the end of April – and the pension only begins in December 2024. Judge Karoline Noack calculated: “That’s 238,355 euros from the end of the contract to retirement”. For going for a walk!
The RBB does not want to pay. Boss Katrin Vernau (49) fired Brandtäter in February without notice. Because in addition to his princely director’s salary, he also received an ARD allowance of 1700 euros – 6 months before the RBB took over the ARD leadership.
The fired RBB director Patricia Schlesinger (61) had given herself and her directors luxury salaries Photo: dpa picture alliance
“Intendant Schlesinger had signed the allowance agreement and presented it to him,” said Brandstätter’s lawyer, “what should he have done?!” “Not sign it!” Countered RBB lawyer Carl Christian von Morgen, “he had to know that all services were settled with his contract. And as administrative director, he had to uphold the principles of economy and economy.”
Then the RBB lawyer burst the collar. “Brandstäter’s most recent annual salary was 287,000 euros, well above what other ARD administrative directors get. And then he lets himself be paid extra for the ARD chairmanship. I think that’s really a scandal!”
The pension is “a severance payment without consideration,” says the RBB, Brandtäter’s contract is therefore immoral. Judge Noack: “Such severance payments are also available for board members of joint-stock companies. But shareholders can sell their shares. The fee payers cannot avoid financing broadcasting.“
Continued September 1st