I believe that the story is similar a lot of places in the world. At least in Denmark, stories of researchers spending more time seeking grant money than doing research are not uncommon.
As part of a lecture, I have had a lab tour with a semi-famous professor in Germany. He said that he sometimes gives ideas, but is most of the time just organizing and looking for money for his group. And he said that that is normal in his situation (successful academic career with a sizable group).