The Munich Carl-Friedrich-von-Siemens-Foundation has commented for the first time on the reports about questionable events that appeared in the SZ in March – and defended the dismissal of its managing director without notice. Marcel Lepper, who had to leave in February after just eleven months, was initially bound by a duty of confidentiality, like the foundation, but had recently made a public statement. So far, nothing has been heard from the foundation apart from the accusation that Lepper was guilty of “massive misconduct in personnel management”.
In the press release sent out on Monday, the spokesman for the foundation, Frank De Gasperi, now repeats this accusation. Lepper’s behavior led to a “profound, irreparable rift with the “large majority of the foundation’s staff”. Why the foundation also separated from two other employees is not mentioned. Also details that explain the unusually drastic step that is usually taken Mediation procedures or a leave of absence would precede it.
Draft and declaration contradict each other
Meanwhile, a letter from the foundation suggests other reasons for Lepper’s split. It is a draft press release that De Gasperi apparently drafted in February to inform the media of Lepper’s departure from the foundation. In the letter, which is available to the SZ, the reason given for the termination is “fundamentally different opinions about the future scientific and strategic orientation” of the foundation. There is no talk of misconduct on the part of Lepper, on the contrary. Although there have been “controversial disputes”, the spokesman quotes the chairman of the foundation’s board, Thomas Höllmann, as saying that these were always “characterized by personal appreciation and mutual respect”.
“Mutual respect” or “irreparable rift”: the ousted managing director Marcel Lepper.
(Photo: Martin Schutt/picture alliance/dpa)
So what’s the deal with these conflicting versions of the reason for termination? De Gasperi asked for a delay in answering the SZ’s request. But Höllmann said the press release was prepared as a “friendly gesture” as a “face-saving opportunity” in case Lepper agreed to an amicable settlement. Since Lepper took legal action against the dismissal after his dismissal, the letter was never sent. The court has now ruled that the dismissal was irrelevant.
Lepper confirmed to the SZ on Monday that he was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
In its letter, the foundation continues to defend itself against the impression that it is close to right-wing ideology. “Our foundation does not tolerate ‘rightist’ ideas,” writes De Gasperi. However, he concedes the “right-wing national ideas” of Armin Mohler, who was the first managing director from 1961 to 1985. This is a “deeply regrettable, well-known and not yet fully processed fact”. The foundation stands by its responsibility to have this time researched. De Gasperi accuses Lepper of having taken “no concrete action” to deal with this. Internal letters that are available to the SZ, on the other hand, suggest Lepper’s active role.