Corruption prevention
Measures to prevent corruption
In October 2006, the city councillors instructed the administration to take appropriate measures to prevent corruption. These include the appointment of an ombudsman as a contact person for citizens, companies and employees.
In 2007, the city council decided to appoint an ombudsman. The role of the ombudsman is to confidentially investigate allegations of bribery, acceptance of benefits and corruption, inform the city's Anti-Corruption Coordinator of substantiated cases of suspicion and advise the Lord Mayor on how to proceed.
Lawyer Thomas Leibner was appointed as the 3rd Ombudsman of the City of Chemnitz by the City Council on 21 May 2014. According to one of the key principles of corruption prevention, rotation, a change in the person of the ombudsman is necessary.
The ombudsman works independently and has far-reaching powers, such as an unrestricted right to information. As the ombudsman is obliged to maintain confidentiality, the informant need not fear any professional or personal disadvantages.
Corruption prevention within the city administration of Chemnitz
In addition to the external ombudsman, a city employee, Christine Schemel, has been appointed as anti-corruption co-ordinator to organise internal administrative measures to prevent and combat corruption.
Her duties include, in particular, planning and organising training courses on corruption prevention for all staff of Chemnitz City Council, as well as her own ongoing professional development. Furthermore, she draws up and updates internal administrative regulations, advises and supports staff within the city administration and its municipal enterprises on all matters relating to corruption prevention, and initiates the necessary internal administrative steps in cases of suspected corruption. She also takes part in exchanges of experience with other cities and attends specialist conferences in order to continuously develop the Chemnitz City Council’s corruption prevention measures in a forward-looking manner.
At the same time, the Anti-Corruption Co-ordinator acts as the point of contact for the Ombudsman regarding the initiation of further internal administrative measures.