| Archives | Advertising | Editorial Board |
The Stylus |
| News | More News |
Franklin Found Not Guilty of Malfeasance The impeachment hearing for Vice President Randall Franklin was held Wednesday, March 26 at 3 p.m. in Room 187 of the Seymour College Union. Franklin has been found not guilty on one count of malfeasance that could have removed him from office. Franklin was charged with one count of malfeasance because of money owed to BSG. Since the impeachment of Franklin Friday Feb. 1, he paid back any money owed. Court was brought to session by Head Justice Mercedes Martinez before the plaintiff, Cultural Clubs Representative on the Brockport Student Government Board Rebecca Newberry, was able to present her case. At the time of the impeachment, Franklin owed $46.33 for an extra night in a hotel for a conference he attended, receipts totaling $290 for prizes for a weight-lifting competition and additional fees for cell-phone charges dating back to July 13. These were all paid off Feb. 7. Newberry said she brought this charge against Franklin because of concerns addressed to her by members of cultural clubs. Newberry said she felt that although Franklin did pay back the money owed, he should have done it in a more timely manner. Franklin stated that at the time he was in a financial bind and was waiting for a loan to go through. He said he intended to pay these fees as soon as he received these funds. Franklin was first made aware of the cell phone charges through an e-mail from BSG Treasurer Kyle Amendola sent Jan. 12. Franklin also stated that he made a verbal agreement with BSG President Darnell Pierce and Amendola to pay off the cell phone bills as soon as the funds were made available to him. Both Pierce and Amendola confirmed this verbal agreement. Witnesses for Franklin included Pierce, who said he knew of Franklin’s financial situation, and Anthony Amico, who is Franklin’s financial aid peer advisor. Amico said that Franklin frequented the financial aid office in between semesters to ensure his loan would come through. Newberry concluded her argument by saying that Franklin’s personal financial situation should not have affected his ability to perform his function as vice president, and continued to insist his incompetence in his position as seen through this charge of malfeasance. Franklin ended his argument by stating he had not failed to fulfill his duties, regardless of his lack of funding. He stated there was no intent for harm, nor did any harm occur. “The court feels that while Mr. Franklin’s handling of the money owed was unsatisfactory, it was not proven to be malfeasant according to the court’s decision,” the Student Court Council statement read. “Mr. Franklin was able to prove that he had made an effort to obtain a loan for the payment of his charges.” The court continued to speak of the insufficient steps taken prior to the impeachment Feb. 1. “Furthermore, it is the court’s opinion that proper and professional steps were not taken to reconcile the situation,” the statement said. “Impeachment should be a course of action taken only after all other alternatives have been exhausted.” |
Franklin found not guilty of malfeasance BSG candidiates Pierce and Ford disqualified |