Student Government formed a committee to consider the impeachment of SG supreme court justices at last week’s general assembly # two semesters after Sen. Jozef Gherman originally moved for their impeachment.
Justices Graham Reybitz, Kendel Mott and Russell Heller were alleged with willful disregard of the SG statutes and violation of the constitution, following the student body presidential election in the spring. Heller resigned before this semester and Reybitz resigned last week, leaving the committee with only Mott’s position to consider.
At the end of the presidential race between Mark Lombardi-Nelson and Jimmy Richards, Lombardi-Nelson received the most votes but was disqualified for receiving too many penalty points. The case was brought to trial, where the court ruled in favor of Richards, eliminating the Lombardi-Nelson ticket.
Lombardi-Nelson then appealed to Regional Associate Vice Chancellor Julie Wong, who nullified the court’s ruling, putting him back on top.
Following this ruling, Gherman read a memo of impeachment for the three justices who ruled in favor of Lombardi-Nelson’s disqualification, essentially accusing them of asserting a power they didn’t have.
Due to legislative session scheduling, the memo had to be read at three SG general assemblies before an impeachment committee was fully formed on Sept. 25. The committee now consists of Allan Pinkerton, Joseph Kauderman and Taylor Adams.
Reybitz resigned immediately after the committee was formed.
In his letter of resignation, he noted concern for the influence Lombardi-Nelson would have in the selection of the three committee members.
“There is no satisfactory means by which to give Justice Mott and I legitimate due process because President Lombardi-Nelson has control of three-fifths of the deciding committee,” Reybitz said.
“The statutes do not have a contingency should this conflict of interest arise, so only the president can make those appointments based on what is stated.”
If the impeachment committee determines an investigation is necessary, the trial would be conducted through a judicial review committee, which would consist of two senators and three president-selected individuals (the “three-fifths of the deciding committee” Reybitz refers to above). A supermajority vote (4-1) is required for an impeachment to pass.
Gherman feel Reybitz’s resignation was a misinformed decision, claiming that he does not understand the impeachment process.
With Reybitz gone, three justices remain on the court, including Chief Justice Alexander Johnson, Kelta Tabaku and Mott, who remains in office until a decision is reached on her impeachment.
“It’s always disappointing to lose anyone in SG,” Johnson said. “But when rules are broken, there will be consequences.”
