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Scandal in Bebra: Managing director uses 30,000 euros for private individuals!
In connection with financial irregularities, the managing director and employees of the Bebra social support centers were released.
Scandal in Bebra: Managing director uses 30,000 euros for private individuals!
The district administrator of Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Torsten Warnecke (SPD), has released the managing director of the Bebra social support centers. The reason is serious allegations that state that both the managing director and a relative used tens of thousands of euros from the association for the disabled for private purposes. According to the accounts for the last five years, around 30,000 euros were diverted for private purchases. As if that wasn't enough, the deputy managing director is also accused of having helped here.
The allegations are serious and cast an unpleasant light on the institution, which employs more than 430 people and runs several workshops and residential facilities for around 1,000 people with disabilities. The release of the two managing directors and one employee took place with immediate effect and is based on the strong suspicion of violations of internal values and possibly applicable law. Those affected did not do nothing: they reported themselves to the Fulda public prosecutor's office, which has been investigating for several months based on an anonymous complaint.
Financial difficulties and the role of the state welfare association
What is particularly piquant is that the club has recorded a deficit of around 2.7 million euros since 2023. This is largely due to new financing rules from the Hesse State Welfare Association (LWV). The latter recently increased its budget for 2024 to 2.38 billion euros, an increase of 190 million euros compared to the previous year. The LWV states that the main reasons for this increase include the tariff increases as part of inflation compensation and the increased number of people entitled to benefits. There are expected to be 65,100 people in need of support in 2024, a noticeable increase compared to 64,000 last year.
The financial cuts have already forced the club to let go of around 20 employees. The largest part of the LWV's expenses goes towards integration assistance for disabled people and supra-local social assistance.
Political and legal screening
The district administrator announced that a comprehensive review of possible violations of compliance rules would take place. This is urgently necessary given the serious allegations and financial irregularities. Political scientist Rupert Graf Strachwitz has also emphasized the need for pressure to reform existing association law, which, in his opinion, makes it difficult to adequately control organizations.
The Social Code (SGB) plays a central role in this, as it regulates the framework conditions for social support and the employment of staff in clubs and associations. It not only lays down important rules for employees' social insurance obligations, but also how funding can be claimed. Failure to comply with these regulations can have serious consequences, including back payments and, in the worst case, loss of charitable status.
The developments in Bebra highlight the challenges that social institutions in Germany face. As society advocates for the rights and needs of people with disabilities, it is also important to ensure that the resources available to them are managed transparently and correctly. The hope remains that these incidents will be used as an opportunity to review the existing structures and, if necessary, reform them.