Springer sues ex”Picture”- Editor-in-Chief Reichelt to a sum of millions

A Springer spokesman confirmed to the dpa on Monday that the group had filed a criminal complaint against Reichelt for fraud with the Berlin public prosecutor’s office. The company declined to comment beyond that. The public prosecutor’s office in Berlin said in the afternoon that no complaint had been received.

When asked about the criminal complaint as well as about a lawsuit by the group against Reichelt before the labor court that became known on the same day, Reichelt’s lawyer said that neither his client nor himself had filed a lawsuit. “The announcement of such a lawsuit, which was apparently made to the media in a targeted manner, even before this lawsuit was served on my client, we regard as a revealing and at the same time unsuitable attempt at intimidation and distraction”explained the lawyer.

The allegations against Julian Reichelt

Reichelt had to vacate his position as editor-in-chief of Germany’s largest tabloid in autumn 2021 and leave the group. background of his career end “Picture” were allegations of abuse of power in connection with consensual relationships with female employees. The journalist himself later heard of one “dirt campaign” spoken against him and allegations always rejected.

Reichelt’s lawyer recently said: Not only allegations against Reichelt, but also the conduct of the internal investigation and the handling of the group with the allegations and the issue of abuse of power in general require a “completely new rating”.

Sued for millions

In addition to the criminal complaint, Springer is also demanding money from his former prisoner “Picture”-Editor-in-chief Reichelt back and goes to court. The case is with the Berlin Labor Court, as a court spokeswoman for the dpa confirmed. Previously he had “Mirror” reported about it.

The spokeswoman went on to say that the lawsuit was about the repayment of a severance payment that had been agreed upon when Reichelt left. In addition, the group is also demanding the payment of a contractual penalty. The lawsuit is for millions.

It was received by the court on April 20. The next step is to set a quality date, it said. A Springer spokesman said: “We do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”