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Ron Lee impeached by Student Senate

By Corie Charnley

Vanguard staff

Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Updated: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

At last night’s Student Senate meeting, the body voted 13–3 to impeach Student Fee Committee member Ron Lee on seven of eight individual charges.

The charges are as follows:

- Lee used his position as an SFC member to threaten a student group for personal reasons
- Lee caused lasting damage to a student group due to personal reasons
- Lee destroyed confidence in the SFC budget process due to his personal agenda
- Lee undermined confidence of his position as an SFC member overall
- Lee jeopardized his integrity as an SFC member
- Lee acted outside of his position as an SFC member unethically
- Lee tainted his character as a member of the SFC through false accusations and ethical misconduct

Lee faced impeachment charges after accusing Pre-Law Society President Ashley McClain of financial mismanagement. These claims were made after Lee failed to receive $5 owed to him by the society.

The decision was made after testimony was given by McClain, PSU’s Alpha Pi Sigma chapter President Andrew William Bridge and Student Senator P.V. Jantz, who submitted the impeachment request.

Before reaching a verdict, the Student Senate discussed issuing a public censure reprimanding Lee for his actions. However, Bridge argued that McClain could not use the censure as evidence of her innocence if a state’s legal bar investigates the matter.

“[When McClain takes the bar exam, she] has to go to 16 states and check if [she has] ever been accused of embezzlement, [or] ever been accused of fraud. She has to check yes,” Bridge said. “She has to have an investigation, and a bar investigation lasts 12 to 24 months. You cannot get a license in 16 states until that investigation is done.”

Lee was not present at the hearing. In addition, no official affidavit was referenced by the Student Senate, though they requested that Lee submit one if he didn’t attend.

Wed Mar 10 2010 19:54

Although I find Ron Lee's actions and attitude reprehensible, the fact that the notifications were not sent to lee and McClain is indicative of ASPSU's incompetence. I would be willing to bet that it was Eddie Halleman who was in charge of that. He has never followed through on anything and is the epitome of incompetence in all the positions he holds ( and there are several). I don't know how he even manages to pass his classes. I think that Halleman should be impeached next. It will definitely be a start in getting ASPSU back on track.

Tue Mar 9 2010 23:22

If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Fine, don't get involved, don't change a thing, don't take advantage of the resources at PSU. And leave just as you came, just a few thousand dollars lighter.

Tue Mar 9 2010 18:56

Professor Hill resigned, but is still involved in the group. I saw him at a pre law sponsored event. if he was so ashamed and sure that pre law was in the wrong, why would they continue to be partners?

Sat Mar 6 2010 17:09

All applicants to the bar have to pass character and fitness review, so in that sense, an investigation is for everyone. Most bars have a questionnaire for self-reporting issues, and questions like "have you ever been accused of financial misconduct?" are routine. Lying on the questionnaire is grounds for non-admission, so McClain will have to say yes, since that's what Lee essentially did. There would be an inquiry, all the docs relevant to the case would be looked at, and she's be cleared in light of there being no evidence of financial misconduct. This would delay her ability to be licensed and employed for a few months. What will happen to Lee, however, is easy enough to guess. He continues to post wild and false statements harmful to reputation about her and others on his blog in a misguided attempt to make himself look better.

Ron Lee, Student / Student Fee Committee

Sat Mar 6 2010 12:40

I would encourage everyone to do some housecleaning in the next A.S.P.S.U. elections. Thank you to those who have left supportive comments and those of you I know that have emailed me or contacted me on Facebook. The facts to this matter which NOBODY is reporting is the Mrs. McClain was very involved and aware of the UNREPORTED REVENUE. This involved not just one but multiple members dues. This was never about my $5.00 and anybody that thinks it was is out to really out to lunch. Ask yourself why the advisor resigned as well. The problem my friends is that I held feet to the fire on the Student Fee Committee. Now the Student Senate is trying to make it appear as though they are doing the right thing with the intent to make the same decision again and delaying the impeachment process of the current student body president. Since this was printed a un-impeachment email went out. By dragging me back through a unbiased hearing next week they appear they are trying to be fair. The whole thing is a SHAM! If anyone knows a ethical attorney committed to a fair process please let me know. It is truly very sad that in order to make sure that people are doing the right thing that you enounter this. So be it. I am in the process of organizing some students to get involved next year and would enourage all emails. The blog http://psustudentsshouldknow.wordpress.com is now up on this issue and there is a link to my personal email. The good news, that is not being reported is that providing that the President of P.S.U. approves our budget the Student Fee Committee has put in place caps on stipends and other mechanisms to try to ensure economic sustainability that will prevent the student fee from rising even one dollar. It's been a challenging year! My biggest concern is making sure that this budget gets approved. Please email the President of PSU - link on my blog and express your support for that budget.

Thu Mar 4 2010 06:22

This is a perfect exhibition of the incompetence of this year's ASPSU student government. This whole spectacle is an absolute proof of how worthless these ASPSU student officials are. Instead of accomplishing work that benefits the student body, they are getting paid by MY student fees to act like a bunch of 6 year olds who lack the maturity to resolve issues among themselves. Grow up! I would be embarrassed if I were affiliated with ASPSU.

Thu Mar 4 2010 01:46

McClain really had nothing to do with Rons 5 bucks that he never went to go pick up even though it was offered on SEVERAL occasions.
In response to the first anon persons comments: Ron should have thought about his silly accusations BEFORE he made them and the repercussions on his own career and future. This man is in need of an intervention from SHAC. Initially I found him just angry and vindictive, but the more I read his rants and rambling emails I have come to my own conclusion that there is something sad about his mental stability. I would urge our administration to have him evaluated, if not for him then for our own sake.

Wed Mar 3 2010 11:31

Does that mean that McClain still has to go through the investigation but will have documentation to prove her innocense or that McClain will not have to go through the investigation now?

Wed Mar 3 2010 08:03

I have never seen such a worthless excuse for a student government. Did anyone think about the other side being that Lee will have to do the same thing in regards to accusations of misconduct? If Lee could not make the meeting, why was it not also pushed back a week? The lack of fairness and rationale for this decision just shows why I would never get involved here at PSU. Our student government spends $350,000 of our student fee money to play games like this and get paid to do it. What a horrible excuse for leadership.

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