Members of USG student organization banned from serving
By Sashana Campbell
On October 24, 2012
Two executive board members from Tha Ink Club have been dismissed from their
positions.
Vice President Mercy Badmos and Treasurer Sherrie Jones have been found guilty of
misusing funds for personal use.
United Students Government President Sara Garfinkle and Treasurer Justine Britten
represented USG at the Judicial Council hearing on Oct. 16, where they presented
receipts as evidence for their claim.
The court found that after using personal funds to buy items for her organization,
Badmos forged Jones' signature on receipts used to reimburse herself with USG's
corporate Wegman's card.
Jones was found at fault for not completing her duties as treasurer and allowing
Badmos the opportunity to control the receipts.
"While Jones was not responsible for the purchases and returns, as the treasurer she
is responsible for all monetary actions of the organization," Chief Justice Andy Stein
wrote in the verdict.
The defendants said they could not obtain the card in time for their event, so
they used their own money. After acquiring the card, however, Badmos and Jones
purchased the same items a second time, only to return them and use the money as
reimbursement.
In a document, Sara Nicholas from USG Accounts Payable, accused Jones and
Badmos of returning a purchase to buy grocery items that were not part of a USG
funded purchase order.
Jontia Jackson, public relations for Tha Ink Club, testified at the hearing. She said she
witnessed the purchased and returned items.
In the verdict the court agreed that they should be reimbursed, but they went about
doing it the wrong way.
The court also ruled that both Badmos and Jones be immediately removed from
office. They're both banned from any USG officer position for a year.
They can still be members of any USG organizations, but will not be allowed to hold
any office position within USG until Oct. 19, 2013.
The court stated that the funds should be returned to USG, but cannot mandate an
individual to repay the debt.
"The best resolution for the case would be for USG to cut Tha Ink Club budget by 10
percent," Stein wrote.
"The improper use of funds by any USG organization is unacceptable," said Justine
Britten, treasurer for USG.
When contacted by the Record for a statement on the to case, Tha Ink Club declined
to comment.
Sashana Campbell can be reached by email at Campbell.record@live.com.
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