Investigations against Esslingen University: 1.6 million euros in focus!

Investigations against Esslingen University: 1.6 million euros in focus!

The matter surrounding Esslingen University is dragging on like chewing gum. The Stuttgart public prosecutor's office has been investigating those responsible at the university for three years now, and the management's statements are far from the end of the story. How Esslinger newspaper reported, the authority began investigating in January 2022 after more and more evidence of illegal performance payments to professors became known.

The focus is on a total of 52 professors who have received performance-related payments since 2008 under the then Rector Bernhard Schwarz, which were not sufficiently checked. The university admits these illegal payments, but subsequently legitimized them. The total amount of money paid out amounts to a whopping 1.6 million euros. The university management, now under Rector Christof Wolfmaier, is convinced that the payments are correct. An evaluation showed that the professors had legitimately received the money and that the payments had withstood a comprehensive review. So the question remains: Where is the truth in this confusing story?

History and processing

The illegal payments finally came to light in October 2021 when doubts arose about their legality. The university subsequently underwent a salary review in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Research and Art. This investigation determined that a one-time special benefit had been granted without sufficient performance evaluation, which led to the investigation. Despite all the uncertainties, Wolfmaier and his team do not believe that there was any malicious intent behind the wrong decisions.

What is particularly explosive is the fact that the accusation against the then rector and chancellor of Esslingen University is: They caused the affected professors to change from the C salary, which was based on years of service, to the W salary, which was based on basic salary and performance benefits, even though they were aware of the illegality of the additional payments. How Stuttgart Public Prosecutor's Office Reportedly, two of the accused professors are already retired.

The further procedure

Many questions currently remain unanswered. The criminal assessment of the incidents is still pending, and Esslingen University remains in close contact with the public prosecutor's office to find out the current status of the investigation. Wolfmaier and his team are optimistic that the investigation will soon be completed. But the uncertainty remains as to whether the professors will have to repay the incorrect payments. Another scandal that could further tarnish the university's reputation in the coming months.

While the mood at the university remains tense, it is noted that the university management is doing everything it can to clarify the incidents and regain trust in the institution. It remains to be seen what legal action will ultimately follow and whether the public prosecutor's office will draw further conclusions.