Brucknerhaus case

Shock: Next LIVA managing director dismissed

René Esterbauer was released as LIVA Managing Director with effect from today.(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

The Linzer Veranstaltungsgesellschaft (LIVA) is in turmoil again: René Esterbauer, the new commercial director since January, was surprisingly dismissed with immediate effect. Allegations against him have surfaced and are now being investigated by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, confirmed Deputy Mayor Dietmar Prammer.

After the Brucknerhaus scandal surrounding the former artistic director Dietmar Kerschbaum and former mayor Klaus Luger, the situation had barely seemed to stabilize when the next turmoil broke out at the LIVA: René Esterbauer, who had taken over the commercial management after Kerschbaum's resignation and subsequent dismissal, was dismissed by owner representative Dietmar Prammer on Wednesday.

Talks are being held
"On Friday, new information about the Luger-Kerschbaum case was passed on to the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Meinhard Lukas," confirmed Prammer in an interview with "Krone". The latter will now investigate the matter in consultation with him. A meeting with LIVA's lawyer has also already taken place.

Further talks will now be held with employees to find out what is behind the allegations. Prammer did not want to say exactly what it was about - "also out of respect for Mr. Esterbauer, he deserves fairness".

It remains to be seen who will take over LIVA on an interim basis. Prammer says that legal checks are currently underway to determine whether one of the two authorized signatories is authorized to represent the company. "We have to find a solution so that LIVA remains capable of acting."