Overview

• Stefan Gelbhaar, a Green Party politician, is demanding a high six-figure damages sum from RBB for false allegations of sexual misconduct.
• The allegations, later found to be partly fabricated, led to Gelbhaar losing his Bundestag candidacy and potentially cost him a seat in parliament.
• RBB admitted to severe journalistic errors, including reliance on a falsified affidavit and failure to verify key sources.
• Gelbhaar claims €500,000 in compensation for reputational harm and additional compensation for lost parliamentary income.
• RBB has confirmed receiving the legal claim but disputes some of Gelbhaar's assertions, citing a timeline that predates their reporting.