Letter to the Editor: SGA Had No Knowledge Of Embezzlement

To the Editor: As Vice President of Finance for the Student Government Association, SGA, I feel that it is my responsibility to respond to the letter written to The Tripod last week by Lincoln Heineman '01, concerning the possibility that SGA had knowledge that a student was embezzling funds from Trinity College. As a past and present member of SGA, I can honestly tell you that I had no knowledge of the possibility of embezzlement. I was shocked and disappointed when I first heard these allegations. Former members of SGA who have heard through the grapevine about what has occurred, have been equally as shocked. To say that SGA had any knowledge of these activities is false. This brings me to my second problem with the letter that was written. The money that was taken was from Austin Arts Center, not the Student Activities Fund. The Student Government Association has no involvement in the financial practices of Austin Arts Center. The Student Government Association deals only with the Student Activities Fund. The student in question had control over both of these funds. No misuse of Student Activity Funds has been proved. In the Tripod article that originally broke this story, Mike West, was adamant about saying that SGA funds were not involved. On a more personal note, I took offense to the statement that the former SGA representative "attempted to explain in detail how to embezzle funds", to the person who was to assume their position the next year. As this person who assumed this position, I can assure you that at no time, in no way, did any conversation like this occur. I first heard of the possibility of embezzlement in late August, when the school had finished conducting their annual audit. The most important issue that this letter brings to light is the misunderstanding and rumors that exist around campus about this issue. If anything this letter shows that the truth needs to be known. I myself still have many unanswered questions. Instead of circulation of rumors and he said she said, a letter would be more appropriately addressed to the administration, calling for them to release a formal statement that can finally dispel all of these rumors. Sincerely, Darrick Mello '00 Student Government Association Vice President of Finance

Letter to the Editor: SGA Had No Knowledge Of Embezzlement

To the Editor:

As Vice President of Finance for the Student Government Association, SGA, I feel that it is my responsibility to respond to the letter written to The Tripod last week by Lincoln Heineman '01, concerning the possibility that SGA had knowledge that a student was embezzling funds from Trinity College.

As a past and present member of SGA, I can honestly tell you that I had no knowledge of the possibility of embezzlement. I was shocked and disappointed when I first heard these allegations. Former members of SGA who have heard through the grapevine about what has occurred, have been equally as shocked. To say that SGA had any knowledge of these activities is false.

This brings me to my second problem with the letter that was written. The money that was taken was from Austin Arts Center, not the Student Activities Fund. The Student Government Association has no involvement in the financial practices of Austin Arts Center. The Student Government Association deals only with the Student Activities Fund. The student in question had control over both of these funds. No misuse of Student Activity Funds has been proved. In the Tripod article that originally broke this story, Mike West, was adamant about saying that SGA funds were not involved. On a more personal note, I took offense to the statement that the former SGA representative "attempted to explain in detail how to embezzle funds", to the person who was to assume their position the next year. As this person who assumed this position, I can assure you that at no time, in no way, did any conversation like this occur. I first heard of the possibility of embezzlement in late August, when the school had finished conducting their annual audit.

The most important issue that this letter brings to light is the misunderstanding and rumors that exist around campus about this issue. If anything this letter shows that the truth needs to be known. I myself still have many unanswered questions.

Instead of circulation of rumors and he said she said, a letter would be more appropriately addressed to the administration, calling for them to release a formal statement that can finally dispel all of these rumors.

Sincerely,

Darrick Mello '00
Student Government Association Vice President of Finance