German Prosecutor Opens Criminal Investigation into documenta 14's €6 Million Deficit

The German Prosecutor General has launched a criminal investigation into documenta officials over alleged misappropriation of public funds. The probe follows a report by auditing firm PwC that identified the primary cause of the €6 million budget overrun as the organization of the exhibition in Athens. Prosecutor General Götz Wied confirmed the investigation, stating that initial suspicions were confirmed after reviewing the external audit. The scandal has been ongoing for months, beginning with controversy over expanding the quinquennial art exhibition to Athens and escalating with revelations of the deficit. Artistic director Adam Szymczyk has been blamed for the financial mismanagement, while CEO Annette Kulenkampff, also criticized, recently resigned. Her resignation sparked outrage among German intellectuals, who viewed it as a political move to commercialize the event. No charges have been filed yet.