Xiao Xu-cen Accused of Fiscal Discipline Issues; Investigation Team: Cannot Rely Solely on One-Sided Testimony

The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation recently announced the resignations of its staff members Xiao Xu-cen and Wang Guang-ci, with former President Ma Ying-jeou citing 'fiscal discipline issues' as the reason. The foundation's board held an extraordinary meeting yesterday, stating that a lawyer's report found clear and significant evidence of violations of fiscal discipline. However, the three-person investigation team appointed by the board today stated that they cannot solely rely on the foundation office's one-sided testimony. The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation issued a statement this evening, noting that on April 8th and 14th, they provided internal investigation evidence regarding Xiao Xu-cen and Wang Guang-ci's alleged fiscal discipline violations to all directors for the second time. To avoid disputes, they urge the three-person investigation team to promptly investigate the authenticity of the provided evidence and interview relevant witnesses. They also kindly request the investigation team to provide advance notice of their investigation schedule, to which the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation pledges full cooperation. The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation's three-person investigation team, composed of Hsueh Hsiang-chuan, Yin Chi-ming, and Li Te-wei, issued a statement today, pointing out that a board meeting was held yesterday, but only one of the seven directors (the chairman) was present, rendering the meeting legally invalid. Despite this, the foundation, under the guise of a 'board meeting,' issued a statement afterward, which is deemed improper. The investigation team also stated that a board resolution on March 27th stipulated that no one from the foundation office could release any information regarding the case without the team's consent. However, the foundation office has disregarded this resolution and published several news items. The investigation team further clarified that April 13th was the date they had scheduled for their investigation meeting, not a date when the entire three-person team attended a board meeting. They consider this misrepresentation to be highly inappropriate. They also suspect that scheduling the extraordinary board meeting during the investigation team's planned investigation time was an intentional obstruction of the investigation process. The investigation team also stated that the relevant materials they requested had not been fully provided before yesterday's meeting, with only meeting minutes offered as a form of compliance. The three-person investigation team emphasized that the circumstances of Xiao and Wang's alleged incidents cannot be judged solely based on the foundation office's one-sided account. The establishment of the three-person team was to ensure a fair resolution. Regrettably, the office has again unilaterally released information, causing confusion. The investigation team has met four times, with two meetings held during the four-day holiday in early April. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng, Su Lung-chi) 1150414