“The committee has confirmed that Olivia used the fund for expenses outside its intended purpose,” he said. “The evidence shows she arranged the apartment payments and several gifts without individual
approval.”
“And Alexander?”
“He acknowledged that he approved the budget but failed to review the reports closely. He accepted
responsibility for that failure.”
“Did he take the blame for all of it?”
“No.”
I closed my eyes, relieved and unsettled at once.
“What happens to Olivia?”
“The company has placed her on administrative leave while it completes its process. The board will
determine the appropriate response.”
“And Alexander?”
“He’s stepped back from direct control of the discretionary fund. The board is reviewing his oversight
role, but he has not resigned.”
I did not know whether that was good news.
“What did he say at the hearing?”
Daniel paused.
“He said he would not attribute decisions to himself that he did not make. He also said the responsibility for oversight was his, because he had allowed the fund to operate without sufficient review.”
