Political interests are behind Franzeluta, director says

The scandal around the bread manufacturing company Franzeluta is caused by interests of parties in government, which seek to take control over the company, stated Eugeniu Baleca, the company's manager who was dismissed by the Franzeluta Board and then reinstated to office by court order. Baleca told a press conference that the attacks against him were the result of his refusal to yield to the interests of some politicians. He said that all the problems caused to him affected negatively the company and its employees. Baleca further stated that the Board's decision to dismiss him was unlawful since there was no quorum. He added that there were politically-affiliated members on the Board, including Agriculture Minister Vasile Bumacov, who sought his dismissal. Asked by Info-Prim Neo to comment, Franzeluta Board Chairman Stefan Chitoroaga said that no matter what Eugeniu Baleca said, the Board new what kind of manager he was and how rudely he treated the company's employees. Chitoroaga added that Baleca didn't have any plan as to how to revive the company and that a new manager was needed. As concerns the quorum, he said that when Baleca's dismissal was decided, the Board's meeting was attended by 6 out of 7 members, with 4 endorsing the dismissal. On June 20, the Franzeluta Board dismissed Eugeniu Baleca for abuses revealed by an Anti-corruption Center inspection. On June 21, Eugeniu Baleca obtained a district court order reinstating him to office. On June 22, the Board appealed.