Davis denies all claims
Student Government Association (SGA) President Harley Davis has been accused of vote tampering, an allegation he strongly denies.
A formal complaint against Davis was filed Sept. 23 accusing him of alleged vote tampering. It was submitted by SGA Senator Juan Vela along with senators Linda Esquivel, Jaelynn Mendez and Zechariah Randall.
The complaint states, “We are writing to submit a formal complaint against Student Body President Harley Davis. On September 23rd, between the hours of approximately 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM, President Davis contacted newly elected senators to influence their vote on Senate Bill 100-2.”
Senate Bill 100-2 is a bill that reforms what is and isn’t proper attire to wear to SGA meetings.
“The Senate belongs to the students. It does not belong to the executive branch or in this case, it does not belong to President Davis,” Vela said of filing the complaint. “So, I felt that this complaint is going to uphold what SGA stands for. I took an oath, that Senator took an oath, to represent the voice of the students, and not to be influenced by a sitting student government president.”
Davis denies that he attempted to sway votes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever tried to influence a vote on anything personally. I understand the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branch, so I don’t think I’ve ever called or had a meeting with anyone personally ever to try and sway a vote in any way,” Davis said.
Davis said he also would not retaliate against any member of SGA.
“I think that they have their own voice for a reason so I would never,” he said. “Also, I read a piece in [the complaint] about retaliation and I would never, ever retaliate against someone for speaking their own opinion. So, I just want that to be very known.”
The formal complaint against Davis is currently under investigation and will have to go through a specific process for action to be taken.
“So, there is a judicial branch of the Student Government Association that’s charged with leading an investigation, so what I can say at this point is that the investigation is ongoing,” Dean of Students and SGA Adviser Kirsten Compary said.
At the most recent SGA meeting on Oct. 8, Senate Bill 100-2, the bill noted in the complaint, was voted on by secret ballot and passed by a vote of 26-4. The organization’s bylaws allow for a vote by secret ballot.
“If people think that they’ve been personally victimized or I ever did retaliate against them, first of all, I apologize, and second of all, I would love for you to come forward so we could talk through it,” Davis said.
The SGA next meets on Oct. 28.
