Wilson suspended from campaigning

Wilson received between $500 and $600 worth of campaign materials - almost double the $300 presidential campaign limit mandated by the code, Elections Commissioner Anthony Hill said.

The printing costs Wilson reported on her expense form were "grossly inconsistent" with quotes the Elections Commission obtained for the same services, Hill stated in a memorandum to Wilson.

Receipts Wilson submitted for posters, handbills and other miscellaneous materials printed by In House Printing, 1701 N. First Ave., showed an amount lower than what the campaign materials cost other candidates, Hill said.

Although it is not known whether the receipts were falsified or if Wilson received a discounted price from the printer, either explanation is a violation of the Elections Code. According to the code, no candidate is allowed to declare a discount for materials or services unless that same discount is available to all candidates.

Hill said that after speaking to each candidate who used In House Printing, all of the expenditures except for Wilson's were verified to the satisfaction of the commission.

Administrative vice presidential candidate Tara Taylor, political science sophomore, and executive vice presidential candidate Casey Cuny, junior in marketing and communication, ordered materials from the printer.

Senate candidates who used In House Printing were Derick Kurdy, criminal justice freshman; Summer Katzenbach, sophomore majoring in Spanish and political science; Paul Zaragoza, finance junior; and Morgan Long, political science junior.

"These people have all been cleared," Hill said.

Wilson's campaign privileges are suspended until 6 p.m. today, Hill said. Wilson and her campaign staff can not attend speaking engagements, hang additional posters or banners, hand out leaflets or have a campaign table until that time, he said.

Marcos Hernandez, assistant elections commissioner, said the commission decided to suspend Wilson's campaign for only one day of the general elections because it still wanted to give the voters a choice in the race for ASUA president.

Wilson is running against Senate Chairman Gilbert Davidson in the general elections today and tomorrow.

A violation of the Elections Code can result in disqualification from the election, a loss of all rights as a candidate and/or a fine of up to $25, the code states.

Hernandez said the decision is a compromise between taking no action and a two-day suspension, which would be severly damaging to Wilson's campaign.

Failure by Wilson and her campaign staff to comply with the suspension will result in Wilson's removal as a candidate in the general elections, Hill's memorandum stated.

It also states that Wilson has 24 hours to appeal the Elections Commission's decision.

Wilson could not be reached for comment.