Timmendorfer Strand: Mayor Sven Partheil-Böhnke temporarily relieved of official duties

First he is said to have insulted the marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann, then invented a hacker attack and finally poured wine on a cyclist: These allegations against the mayor of Timmendorfer Strand, Sven Partheil-Böhnke (FDP), now have consequences. For the time being, he is no longer allowed to conduct official business. The municipality's main committee decided this last week.

According to the administration, the ban applies until the disciplinary and, if necessary, criminal proceedings against the town hall boss, which have been ongoing since the end of July, have been finally clarified. The ban on executing office serves to protect the community, it was said. The presumption of innocence applies until the proceedings are completed. The NDR reported on this.

The background is several investigations by the Lübeck public prosecutor's office. According to the NDR, there is an initial suspicion of faking a crime and possible insults. Both allegations are related to the dispute over the humpback whale, which was stranded off Niendorf in the spring and was named “Timmy,” and disputes with the marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann, who was involved in the rescue attempts for the animal.

According to the public prosecutor's office, Partheil-Böhnke is said to have made derogatory comments about the biologist in emails. Partheil-Böhnke denied having written the emails herself and referred to an alleged hacker attack on the town hall and cell phone. As “Bild” reports, there are doubts about the depiction. The public prosecutor's office is therefore investigating on suspicion of faking a crime.

There is also another investigation. According to NDR, Partheil-Böhnke is being investigated on initial suspicion of attempted blackmail, coercion and usurpation of office. This is about an incident in June on the promenade in Niendorf. The mayor is accused of stopping a cyclist and demanding payment of a fine without having the authority to do so.

According to “Bild”, Partheil-Böhnke is said to have stopped the cyclist and demanded a warning, which according to the report was 55 euros. In the ensuing argument, the mayor is said to have poured a full wine glass over the man's clothing.

According to “Bild”, the Ostholstein district administration initiated disciplinary proceedings in mid-July. The municipality's eleven-member main committee then unanimously decided to release the mayor. Accordingly, the ban covers “all official business, tasks and official powers associated with the office of mayor”.

According to NDR, Partheil-Böhnke has been on sick leave for several weeks. His contract as mayor runs until the end of June 2027. His deputy Nils Hopp will be in charge until the next mayoral election.