A spectacular legal dispute is causing a stir in Stendal. Iris Schubert, the former head of the health department in the district of Stendal, is fighting to be allowed to resume her part-time work as a coroner. After the Magdeburg Administrative Court dismissed her complaint, the case is now going to the next instance. But how did this conflict come about?
District administrator sees conflicts of interest
For years, Iris Schubert carried out second post-mortems for the crematorium in Stendal. This activity brought her more income than her civil servant salary. But then the district administrator of the Stendal district, Patrick Puhlmann (SPD), pulled the ripcord. He stopped her part-time job and transferred her to the Börde district administration. The reason: Concerns about proper implementation and possible conflicts of interest. Schubert then took legal action before the Magdeburg Administrative Court, but her case was dismissed.
Schubert resists disclosure
But Iris Schubert is not giving up. She appealed against the decision of the administrative court. Now the Higher Administrative Court in Naumburg has to deal with the case. Interestingly, the district of Stendal has also filed a lawsuit. It is demanding the disclosure of information about Schubert's secondary employment. Schubert is defending himself against this demand before the administrative court. A decision is still pending.
Self-authorization of post-mortems
Particularly explosive: after the allegations came to light, Iris Schubert is said to have given herself permission to carry out the post-mortems. Normally, the public health department may only grant this authorization to experienced doctors if there are no doctors in the prescribed fields of forensic medicine or pathology available. According to the district, however, this authorization was not available for a long time.
Transparency required for approvals
This case highlights the need for clear regulations and strict monitoring of civil servants' secondary employment. The fact that Iris Schubert apparently gave herself permission to carry out the post-mortems is particularly alarming. This shows how important it is that such authorizations are granted in a transparent and comprehensible manner in order to prevent abuse.
The ruling by the Magdeburg Administrative Court and the ongoing proceedings before the Naumburg Higher Administrative Court and the Administrative Court make it clear that this is not just about the personal conflict between Iris Schubert and the district administrator. It is about the public's trust in the integrity and independence of the public administration. The protection of the general public must always come first.
Whether Iris Schubert will ultimately be successful remains to be seen. However, it is clear that this case could have far-reaching consequences for the practice of secondary employment of civil servants. It remains to be seen how the courts will decide in the next instances.
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