2023-05-08 15:21:53
The public prosecutor’s office in Berlin is investigating the former “Bild” editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt. A spokesman for the authority said on Monday at the request of the German Press Agency: “The existence of an initial suspicion of fraud has now been confirmed, the investigation is being started.”
The background is a criminal complaint by the media group Axel Springer. The public prosecutor’s office did not provide any further information on the allegations. Reichelt’s lawyer, Ben Irle, said on request: “To this day, my client has not received the criminal complaint.” Therefore, one cannot comment on the allegations of the ongoing proceedings, which are still unknown to his client. The prerequisites for the initiation of an investigation are generally extremely low.
The media company reported its former “Bild” boss Reichelt in April. The company did not give any details. The public prosecutor’s office had previously checked whether there was initial suspicion and whether the prerequisites for investigations were met. The spokesman for the authorities did not say how long the investigation will take. It is the presumption of innocence.
Allegations of abuse of power led to the end of his career at “Bild”
Reichelt had to vacate his position as editor-in-chief of Germany’s largest tabloid in autumn 2021 and leave the group. The background to his career end at “Bild” were allegations of abuse of power in connection with consensual relationships with employees. The journalist himself later spoke of a “smear campaign” against him and always rejected allegations.
In addition to filing criminal charges, Springer is also demanding money from Reichelt in an employment law dispute. A first hearing is planned for June at the labor court in Berlin. According to the court, this lawsuit is about the repayment of a severance payment that was agreed upon when Reichelt left. In addition, the group is also demanding the payment of a contractual penalty. It’s a total of millions.
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