German tabloid Bild’s editor sacked after allegations of sexual misconduct

BERLIN (AA) - The editor-in-chief of Germany’s top-selling Bild newspaper has been sacked following reports accusing him of mobbing, abuse of power, and sexual misconduct at the work place.

Media giant Axel Springer said in a statement late Monday that the group relieved Julian Reichelt of his duties with immediate effect, after gaining new knowledge about his workplace behavior from recent press reports.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that internal investigations by a law company revealed that Reichelt was accused by several female colleagues of sexual harassment, abuse of power, mobbing and inappropriate behavior.

He reportedly had an affair with a junior employee, and promoted her to a high-profile role, although she felt she was not ready for this.

“That’s how it always goes at Bild,” a female colleague, who gave testimony to the investigators, reportedly said. “Those who sleep with the boss get a better job.”

Axel Springer group said an earlier investigation on these allegations was concluded in spring 2021, but new press investigations provided some new information.

“Julian Reichelt still failed to maintain a clear boundary between private and professional matters and was also untruthful to the Executive Board in this regard,” the statement said.

The group claimed that the earlier investigation against Reichelt never included any allegations of sexual harassment or sexual assault.

“There were, however, allegations of consensual intimate relationships with female Bild employees and indications of abuse of power in that connection,” it noted.