Election madness continues

Days before SGA president-elect Jessica Lee’s inauguration, presidential runner-up William Moehl said the university is investigating his allegations of cheating against Lee.

“I think it’s malicious, specifically to hurt me,” Lee said. “I want this to be over. I think that this has gotten very, very out of hand.”

To avoid disqualification, the SGA judicial review board ordered Lee to publicly apologize during her inaugural speech Wednesday at the Commons from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

But in a written statement, Moehl said a public apology is not enough. Lee broke university rules, he said, and the university is prepared to investigate and possibly punish Lee for her behavior, even if the review board is not.

“The SGA judicial board was given the opportunity to set precedent, to show the student body that they are not just a leech of student activity fees and gutless, but a source of law to hold their student representatives to a code of ethics.”
-William Moehl, SGA presidential candidate

“The SGA judicial board was given the opportunity to set precedent, to show the student body that they are not just a leech of student activity fees and gutless, but a source of law to hold their student representatives to a code of ethics,” Moehl stated.

If the university decides Lee is guilty of lying, cheating, stealing or plagiarizing, Lee could be suspended or expelled, Moehl said. A suspension or expulsion would result in Lee’s forced resignation from office. Emad Maghsoudi, Lee’s running mate, is also being investigated.

Lee said she trusts the university will make the right decision.

“I think it’s faulty to say they (the justices) didn’t consider his claim,” Lee said. “I think they’ve been really kind to him . considering he never presented new information.”

According to SGA bylaws, an appeal of a judicial decision can be filed as long as new information is presented to the justices.

Rebecca Imholt, chief justice of the judicial review board, said Sunday Moehl had no grounds to appeal the board’s decision.

“His appeal was rejected,” Imholt said. “As for any action in regards to the university, that’s outside our jurisdiction, so we really have no position on it.”

Moehl appealed the judicial review board’s initial decision on April 13. A meeting to deliberate the appeal occurred April 20, and the appeal was rejected Friday.

Accusations against Lee include distributing election fliers that resemble parking tickets and campaigning in and around the library. However, Lee was only found guilty of inappropriately allowing her running mate to sign an official document in her name, and she maintains that other accusations were either exaggerated or false.

Moehl said personal relationships between Lee and the review board justices have influenced the judicial review board’s decisions. He also said the review board made its decisions based on the votes, which favor Lee, and not the case.

“I would like to believe that the justices will see past friendly relationships, disregard the election tallies and view the fact that the team of Jessica Lee and Emad Maghsoudi left a foul stench on the SGA,” Moehl stated.

But Imholt insisted accusations of bias are unfounded.

“Honestly, I can’t see any of my people voting one way or another simply because of a personal relationship,” Imholt said.

Before the appeal rejection was announced, Moehl had requested Henry Rhone, vice provost of student affairs, make the final decision as an impartial party. Moehl said the board’s decision to reject this suggestion and his appeal has forced him to complain to the university.

“I have had to pursue justice along other routes,” Moehl stated, “and hope . the actions of Ms. Lee and Mr. Maghsoudi don’t ruin their careers here at VCU or in life, all because the justices would not rule appropriately.”