BERLIN. Scandal rocked her usually lazy world German state television after the resignation of the head of the state network ARD Patricia Schlesinger. The public money embezzlement case was exposed to the press at the end of June, when the network announced important reforms.

Schlesinger is accused of abusing his position to obtain privileges, including a huge annual salary of 300,000 euros and commissions that were provided in an opaque manner. The former investigative reporter is accused of hosting private dinners at her home, which she billed for the public television network.

Schlesinger reportedly spent 1.4 million euros to refurbish the ARD offices in Berlin and had a luxury company car with heated seats at her disposal. Her husband, also a former journalist, through the mediation of Schlesinger received a position as an exhibition consultant in the capital’s state museum.

Its head was reported to have spent 1.4 million euros to refurbish the canal’s offices in Berlin and had a luxury company car.

The case has reached such proportions that the head of the CDU opposition, Friedrich Merz, said that the scandal threatens to cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the state broadcaster. German state media have been criticized for years for their outdated methods and habits. Stations, which are now required to finance digital transformation with their own funds, are defending themselves against government orders. Every household in Germany spends 220 euros a year on electricity bills to support public media.

In 2020, the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt appealed this accusation to the Court, but the court rejected his request.