Abuse allegations: Music school director forced to leave

Provincial governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP), chairwoman of the music school advisory board, expects “complete clarification” and emphasized: “Such behavior has no place in Lower Austria.” The man denied the allegations, according to the weekly newspaper.

The allegations “are taken very seriously by all sides and measures were taken immediately,” said the Music & Art Schools Management in a broadcast. The three mayors of the associated municipalities would have put the man on leave with immediate effect until further notice. Discussions have already been held with the music school teachers and the chairman of the parents’ association for the coming days in order to clarify the allegations.

If the allegations are substantiated in the talks in the coming days, “I expect that all necessary further legal steps will be taken,” said Mikl-Leitner. “As the governor and mother of two daughters, I can say quite clearly that we in Lower Austria and I personally do not tolerate such behavior in our country.”

Protection through political connections?

The “Falter” reported that political connections to the ÖVP should protect the music school director for many years. When asked whether someone had personally campaigned for her husband to stay, Mikl-Leitner said: “No. And I wouldn’t advise anyone to do that either.”

“The Music & Art Schools Management will accompany the further process externally and push for a quick clarification,” it said in the broadcast. According to the information, the music school advisory board advises the state government on music school issues, in particular with regard to setting priorities in support programs and educational-artistic objectives.

The appointment or dismissal of music school teachers and/or music school directors is not within the competence of the music school advisory board, it was stated. The state uses the MKM Musik & Kunst Schulen Management Niederösterreich GmbH to handle the funding and technical support.

According to “Falter”, the man is said to have abused his power and sexually molested children and women. According to the weekly newspaper, the person concerned described the allegations as “fictitious”.