Schlesinger stands to receive a retirement benefit from RBB.
In a significant turn of events, the Berlin Regional Court (Landgericht Berlin II) has partially favoured Patricia Schlesinger in her legal battle with public broadcaster RBB. The ruling, handed down on July 16, 2025, orders RBB to pay Schlesinger a pension of approximately €18,300 (or €18,400 per month according to slightly different reports) for January 2023.
This decision marks a significant win for Schlesinger, though the court left open whether she is entitled to continued pension payments beyond that month. The pension entitlement, if confirmed, could amount to millions over her lifetime. It is important to note that Schlesinger initially limited her claim to the first payment to reduce litigation risk, leaving the core question of ongoing pension obligation unresolved.
The legal dispute between Schlesinger and RBB primarily revolves around her pension allowance and other claims related to her tenure as a top manager. However, RBB retains claims against Schlesinger, likely linked to breaches of duty during her leadership, particularly in relation to a controversial and expensive construction project known as the "Digital Media House" project.
The "Digital Media House" project, under Schlesinger's oversight at RBB, has been a key point of contention. While the exact nature of the financial or contractual disputes has not been fully disclosed, the project's cost and management have been flagged as problematic by RBB. The continuation of the legal process suggests that RBB is contesting Schlesinger's role or responsibilities in relation to this project, which may affect liability or damages claims.
Despite this partial victory, the broader dispute over Schlesinger's pension rights and allegations tied to her managerial conduct remains unresolved and litigated. The decision from the Regional Court is not yet final, an appeal to the Higher Regional Court is possible.
The scandal surrounding Patricia Schlesinger had shaken public broadcasting in the summer of 2022, involving allegations of waste, nepotism, luxury cars, lavish office equipment, dining expenses, business trips, executive allowances, and a scrapped million-euro building project for the editorial department. Schlesinger has always denied the allegations against her.
It is also worth noting that the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office has been investigating the RBB scandal, including against Patricia Schlesinger, for some time. The evaluation is still ongoing.
In addition to the pension allowance dispute, RBB was ordered to pay approximately 24,000 euros from Schlesinger due to breaches of duty related to company cars and travel expenses. The court also issued a declaratory judgment in two further alleged breaches of duty involving variable payments and ARD allowances for employees, with the amount to be determined in a later decision (estimated over 1.7 million euros by RBB). A legal dispute regarding the planning of the digital media house project was separated and will be tried separately.
The presumption of innocence applies to Patricia Schlesinger throughout this ongoing legal process. The payment of the full pension allowance, estimated to be around 220,000 euros per year for the past three years and the future, remains uncertain.
- This legal triumph for Patricia Schlesinger in the finance sector, concerning her pension rights, could have significant implications for her future income, potentially totaling millions, given its longevity.
- The resolution of the pension dispute between Schlesinger and RBB is not Absolute, and politics may still play a role in the outcome, as an appeal to the Higher Regional Court is possible, potentially impacting the financial and professional repercussions she faces due to the "Digital Media House" project.
