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Baden-Württemberg: Public media center dissolved over inappropriate spending practices
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
An audit report presented on July 20, 2026 by the Landesrechnungshof, Baden-Württemberg's regional audit office, has triggered the dissolution of the Landesmedienzentrum (LMZ), a public institution with 350 employees and an annual budget of approximately €30 million, operating under the state education ministry's supervision. Auditors identified practices deemed entirely inappropriate for public administration: a video studio costing €1.2 million—twice the budgeted amount—cryptocurrency purchases totaling €33,000 for purported testing purposes, and an oversized vehicle fleet. Staff allocated only 30% of their working time to core responsibilities.
- The 350-employee LMZ with a €30 million annual budget is to be dissolved following the audit
- Staff dedicated only 30% of working time to their core assigned responsibilities
- A Covid-era video studio cost €1.2 million, double the budgeted amount
- Employees made €33,000 in cryptocurrency purchases citing testing purposes
- Audit findings span two successive education ministers' tenures
What we know
The Landesmedienzentrum (LMZ), a public institution in Baden-Württemberg with 350 employees and an annual budget of approximately €30 million, is to be dissolved. The decision follows an audit report presented on July 20, 2026 by the Landesrechnungshof, the state's regional audit office, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
The report finds that staff members allocate only 30% of their working time to their core responsibilities.
Flagged spending practices
A video studio created during the Covid-19 pandemic cost €1.2 million, twice the budgeted amount. Underutilized, it has primarily been used to produce 'digital Christmas greetings.'
Employees purchased €33,000 in cryptocurrencies, citing testing purposes.
Auditors characterized the institution's vehicle fleet as oversized.
30%
of working time devoted to core responsibilities
€1.2 million
cost of the Covid video studio, double the budgeted amount
€33,000
cryptocurrency purchases for testing purposes
350
employees at the LMZ
LMZ annual budget30000000
Video studio cost1200000
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