Scandal at SAP Hungary: Entire leadership dismissed – UPDATE: Correction
A major scandal has shaken the Hungarian subsidiary of SAP (SAP Hungary), one of the world’s largest software companies. The German-based multinational has dismissed the entire Hungarian top management, including CEO Szabolcs Pintér, who had been with the company since 2007 and took over as CEO in 2019. The decision comes in the wake of controversies surrounding corporate events and a broader global investigation within the company.
“Silent room” and sensitive correspondence
According to Index, the scandal was triggered by a company conference last year, where sex workers were allegedly invited. Their services were reportedly offered under the code name “Silent Room, massage,” and an Excel spreadsheet was allegedly kept to track who used the room and when. Drug use was also suspected. The German headquarters launched an investigation, which ultimately led to the dismissal of the entire Hungarian leadership.
According to Telex’s sources, the scandal was triggered by correspondence found at a company event last year containing wording that was considered questionable according to international standards (this may be the aforementioned conference, put mildly). This was enough for the German parent company to immediately replace SAP Hungary’s leadership.
Global context: harassment scandals at SAP
The Hungarian decision cannot be separated from SAP’s broader problems worldwide. At the U.S. subsidiary, a serious sexual assault case came to light last year, when former employee Ashley Kostial went public with her story. Despite police and medical reports confirming her account, she was pressured into signing a non-disclosure agreement during an employment mediation process and ultimately left the company.
More allegations have since emerged. In 2024, Jürgen Müller, SAP’s former Chief Technology Officer, resigned after being accused of inappropriate behaviour at a Berlin office party.
Following these incidents, SAP’s German headquarters launched a strict review of the entire company. The dismissal of the Hungarian leadership is one of the outcomes of this process.
Cancelled events and corporate silence
SAP Hungary confirmed in a statement that CEO Szabolcs Pintér has left the company. It also announced the cancellation of its flagship 14–16 September SAP NOW AI Tour Hungary conference, recommending the Vienna event instead. The company firmly refused to comment on “rumours or speculation” regarding leadership changes or events.
From Hungarian success story to scandal
SAP Hungary has been present on the local market since 1997 and today employs between 1,700 and 2,000 people, making it one of the leading players in Hungary’s business IT sector. Its clients range from small enterprises to large listed companies and state institutions. The Budapest hub also serves as a key international innovation centre and has won several employer awards over the years.
UPDATE: Correction
Above, as well as in the title, we mentioned that the company’s “entire leadership” had been dismissed, but this is not true: according to Telex’s information, at least four employees were dismissed, including Pintér, but apart from the managing director, the marketing manager was no longer considered a senior manager, nor were the two employees who left (they worked in event management). It is also important to note that, to the best of Telex’s knowledge, there was no “happy hour” conference at the company’s Hungarian subsidiary.
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