Even more accusations

New inconsistencies in procurement practice around B

Shortly before the big Brucknerhaus anniversary show, serious allegations emerged against Artistic Director Dietmar Kerschbaum.(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

It could be the next loud bang in the case surrounding the dismissed Brucknerhaus artistic director and LIVA board director Dietmar Kerschbaum: Questionable expense claims and in-your-face dealings are said to be just the tip of the iceberg. According to town hall insiders, new explosive material is likely to emerge at the current special meeting of the LIVA supervisory board. 

A report by the auditing company KPMG, which was commissioned to carry out a compliance audit of Kerschbaum's business activities, is expected to provide the basis for this. Specifically, experts analyzed possible in-security transactions, secondary employment, expenses, business trips and the commissioning of external service providers.

In contrast to the report already submitted by the municipal audit office, which primarily used receipts and fees in its investigations, selected employees were also questioned about specific cases. It is reported that there was a previously unknown violation in the awarding of a prestige project.

Inspection office has already identified breaches inthe awarding of contracts
 As reported in detail last week, the city's inspection office classified several cases concerning Kerschbaum's business practices as problematic. Among other things, the inspectors found a partly non-transparent, escalating expense management, side deals and unequal fee models - particularly in the case of Kerschbaum's self-employment and that of his wife. What followed after the allegations became known was an exchange of blows between the dismissed artistic director and the mayor of Linz, Klaus Luger, who each expressed their views in open letters.

Public exchange of blows in open letters
Kerschbaum broke the ban on speaking imposed on him and claimed in his letter that he would be able to fully clarify all reservations. At the same time, he criticized the fact that he had never been questioned by the Control Authority about the case. And he emphasized: "I would also like to state that I have dedicated the last few years to the Brucknerhaus with great commitment and have no intention of stopping this activity."

Linz mayor continues to insist on dismissal
In a reply sent to the "Krone" on Monday, Luger held out the prospect that the Linz artistic director could still have his say. When and before which committee, he left open. However, his basic attitude has not changed. This is: "The employment relationship will be terminated with immediate effect."

However, the decision does not fall to Luger, who - just like the Supervisory Board - can only make a recommendation on how to proceed. The ball is in the court of the managing directors of LIVA's parent company KKV Holding GmbH (creative, cultural and event holding company), Gerfried Stocker and Thomas Ziegler. They will ultimately decide whether Kerschbaum's career at LIVA comes to an end. Officially, the artistic director's contract runs until 2027.