The managing director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Alfred Hudler, must step down. The supervisory board of the Riding School informed the responsible Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (BMLUK) that it was necessary to “remove and dismiss” Hudler from his position, the ministry announced in a press release on Tuesday.
The supervisory board justified the decision by stating that, during the review of already known suspicions, further “serious misconduct” had come to light. The ministry was informed of these new allegations and has instructed its internal audit department to carry out an investigation, it was reported.
The supervisory board also decided to appoint an interim managing director. This is to be done before September 19. Hudler had assumed office as head of the Riding School and the Lipizzaner stud farm in Piber in December 2022 and was recently criticized over expense and business travel reimbursements.
No further details were initially provided. The supervisory board holds the relevant information and also made the personnel decision, a ministry spokesman told APA upon request. Hudler has faced allegations for several weeks and has already been reported on suspicion of embezzlement.
This occurred after the ministry’s internal audit was instructed to examine the case. According to media reports, the matter involved possible damages of more than 15,000 euros. Hudler himself has consistently rejected the accusations. In a statement in July, he said he was “not aware of any improper conduct.”
