USG to investigate elections violations


Wednesday, March 25, 1998	USG to investigate elections violations By TIM SWIFT Collegian Staff Writer Last night the Undergraduate Student Government Senate responded to allegations of misconduct made against former chief justice of the Elections Court Duane Gildea and USG President Jaime Desmond. The accusations were made by USG presidential candidate Mario Ciabarra in a petition submitted to the USG Supreme Court. Ciabarra (junior-science) said that during a secret meeting Friday, Gildea said he worked on last year's campaign for Desmond and USG Vice President John Polk while serving on the elections court -- thereby violating the elections code.
	Ciabarra also said he felt Friday's meeting was held for Gildea's personal gain, and Gildea may have been trying to obtain an appointed position if Ciabarra were elected to office. Senate President Josh Smith proposed legislation for the Senate Appointments and Review Board to investigate the matter. The legislation was approved by one vote last night. The board will investigate the matter fully and recommend action to the senate, Smith said. "There have been very serious allegations levied and I believe it's our duty (as USG senate) to review these allegations as thoroughly as possible," Smith said.
*"From being in the senate for two years, I can tell when a witch hunt is beginning."* - Caroline Casagrande, town senator and USG presidential candidate	Smith added that the focus of the investigation would not be of a personal nature, but an investigation into USG's election procedures. Neither Desmond nor Gildea were referred to by name in the legislation; however, it does mention Gildea by his former title. Many senators were concerned whether the investigation would become a personal attack. "From being in the senate for two years, I can tell when a witch hunt is beginning," said Caroline Casagrande, town senator and USG presidential candidate. At the meeting, Desmond denied allegations of wrongdoing. Polk said, "It is a fairy tale," in response to the allegations. "Doing this is a complete shock to me," Desmond said to the senate. She said the last weeks of the semester should consist of constructive programming -- not fluff. "Duane was wrong . . . he resigned. I think that's enough," she said. In other action last night, the Senate approved Desmond's appointment of Jolaine Gravish, former president of the Association of Residence Hall Students, to the elections court. Gravish (senior-communications disorders) will fill the position left vacant by Gildea, who resigned Monday. "It's important to keep this election moving and fair," said Ryan Boardwater, Nittany/Pollock senator. In other election news, an eighth ticket entered the race for USG president and vice president in the form of a write-in campaign. Matt Lohr (senior-elementary education) and B.J. Werzyn (junior-kinesiology) announced their candidacy in a letter to the editor in The Daily Collegian today. Collegian staff writer Christopher Antonacci contributed to this report.