Court upholds dismissal of former Brucknerhaus director Dietmar Kerschbaum

The Higher Regional Court (OLG) Linz has upheld the dismissal of Dietmar Kerschbaum, the former artistic director of the Brucknerhaus and managing director of the Linz Event Company (LIVA). Kerschbaum had sued for nearly half a million euros in severance pay, claiming his termination lacked legal grounds.

The court ruled that Kerschbaum breached his duties as a managing director and damaged the trust of LIVA. Key findings included his instruction to the head of HR to pay him monthly expenses for a privately owned mobile phone without proper authorization, totaling over 12,000 euros between 2017 and 2024.

Additionally, the court noted actions that conflicted with LIVA's interests, such as extending a useless sponsorship contract and using information provided in advance for his selection hearing. The decision is not yet final, as Kerschbaum may appeal to the Supreme Court via an extraordinary revision.