Attorney Körber-Risak cannot gain anything from the Burgtheater’s argument that there were no employment law options, that the presumption of innocence applied and that Teichtmeister credibly denied the allegations. “There is a presumption of innocence in criminal law, but it has nothing to do with my dealing with a possible reason for dismissal as an employer,” emphasized Körber-Risak in the Ö1-Mittagsjournal.
Rather, it is important to weigh up the interests – in this case, on the one hand, the duties of the management towards the Burgtheater and its reputation, but also the duty of care towards the workforce; on the other hand, the possibility of labor law proceedings for dismissal or suspension. According to Körber-Risak, she knows “in which direction the weighing of interests should have gone”.
The employment law expert referred to the article in the “Kronen Zeitung” from September 2021, which already read about house searches, albeit without naming the actor. The Burgtheater knew who it was about. A house search requires that there is an urgent suspicion of a crime. “And as soon as I know that from a newspaper,” Körber-Risak explained, “I have to take action as an employer.”
Mayer: “Don’t be afraid of the consequences”
When it comes to “abuse of children and the depiction of it”, there should be “no trivialization and no tolerance,” said Secretary of State for Art and Culture Mayer on Monday’s presentation of Austria’s contribution to the 2024 Art Biennale.
Teichtmeister: Expert criticizes the Burgtheater
After the allegations against the actor Florian Teichtmeister became known, the question of misconduct within the culture industry was raised. According to an employment law expert, the Burgtheater should not have employed Teichtmeister any more.
She wanted to “express my heartfelt condolences” to the victims and promise “that we will do everything we can to ensure that the necessary due diligence has been acted on at all levels”. A chronology requested by the Bundestheater-Holding and Burgtheater about information flows, about the resulting actions and about “who asked which questions when” will be received on Monday or Tuesday and a close look will be taken at labor law and company law to “whether the right action was taken”, said Mayer on Monday.
Then you will see “what conclusions can be drawn”. Mayer did not want to get involved in the consequences of not doing the right thing. “But I’m not afraid of the consequences,” says Mayer. “It is important that we stand for transparency; that we don’t let trivialization get away, don’t allow tolerance.”
Investigations into violence and narcotics dropped
Originally, the public prosecutor’s office in Vienna had investigated Teichtmeister for continued violence directed against his partner at the time (§ 107b StGB) and a drug-related offence. The line of investigation into domestic violence was discontinued – “for reasons of evidence”, as the spokeswoman for the Vienna public prosecutor’s office, Nina Bussek, announced on Monday at the APA request.
With regard to the drugs, the prosecution, pursuant to Section 35 of the Narcotic Drugs Act (SMG), provisionally withdrew from the prosecution, since it was a small quantity that the actor had possessed solely for his own use.
Subsequently, the law enforcement authorities became aware of 22 data carriers with sexual depictions of minors and minors, which Teichtmeister is said to have obtained from February 2008 to August 2021, according to the criminal complaint.
Call for law reform
The Association of Autonomous Austrian Women’s Shelters (AÖF) and the Austrian Women’s Ring were meanwhile “deeply shocked by the handling” of the case. They called for a reform of the law.
Schneeberger (ORF Kultur) on the Teichtmeister cause
Peter Schneeberger from ORF Kultur analyzes the Teichtmeister cause and its possible consequences.
Children who have been victims of depictions of sexual violence on the Internet should “be able to make comprehensive claims for damages against all those who create and consume such videos and recordings,” it said. The reaction of those around him, employers, politicians and the judiciary was scandalous: “The suspect, who has already confessed, is only portrayed as an addict, instead of as a violent criminal. This is a further trivialization of violence and protection against offenders.”
Burgtheater sold a piece
Until the allegations became known in the previous week, Teichtmeister could still be seen on stage. In the castle he played the leading role in Daniel Kehlmann’s “Next Door”. The play, staged by Burgtheater director Martin Kusej, will be cancelled, it was announced on Monday – more on this in wien.ORF.at.
Teichtmeister’s lawyers had emphasized that the 42-year-old had confessed throughout the investigation and had always cooperated with the authorities. He has also been in psychological treatment for two years. For media such as “profil” the question arose as to how Teichtmeister was able to become one of the busiest actors at the Burgtheater during this two-year therapy phase.
Apart from “Nebenan” Teichtmeister was on stage in Peter Handke’s “Zdenek Adamec” and played Caliban in “Der Sturm”. “Why did no one seem to dig deeper after the allegations had become known, even in circles far removed from the theatre?”, according to “profil”.
Reduced role in “Die Toten von Salzburg”
The ORF has removed all productions in which Teichtmeister was involved. Teichtmeister’s brief appearance in the recently broadcast episode of “Toten von Salzburg” was also due to the rumors circulating about the actor. According to the first media reports, the production company Satel had held talks with Teichtmeister, in which he credibly denied all allegations, it said on Monday.
Nevertheless, Satel, ORF and co-production partner ZDF have agreed “that a continuation of Teichtmeister’s role in ‘Die Toten von Salzburg’ can only take place to the usual extent if all allegations are officially refuted,” said ORF.
Marie Kreutzer’s Sisi drama “Corsage”, in which Teichtmeister embodies Franz Joseph, remains Austria’s candidate for the foreign Oscar 2023. The decision was made by those responsible for the film and the responsible professional association on Sunday. The criminal complaint against Teichtmeister is frightening, but it must be separated from the artistic achievement of the director and the film itself, it said.
FPÖ announces parliamentary questions
The FPÖ meanwhile announced parliamentary questions on this topic. Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) and his state secretary have an urgent need for clarification, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) are also required. ÖVP culture spokeswoman Maria Großbauer also called for “complete clarification” of the Teichtmeister cause and the actions of the Burgtheater management.
