Although he was re-elected to his seat following last week's Student Government elections, Orange and Blue Party Sen. Ben Cavataro could lose his position in Student Senate..
Cavataro, who represents Hume Hall, was found guilty of improper campaigning and was recommended for disqualification by Student Government's Election Commission.
During about 10 hours of meetings on Thursday and Friday, the commission heard alleged election violations from more than 60 complaint forms that were filed. About half were dismissed by the commission or withdrawn by the parties.
In a 3-1 vote Friday, the commission found Cavataro guilty of door-to-door campaigning at Hume. Door-to-door campaigning on university property is a violation of Student Body Statutes.
The commission's recommendation will go to the Supreme Court of the Student Body, which will decide if Cavataro should be disqualified.
During Friday's meeting, Cavataro told the commission he was campaigning in the lounge areas of Hume with Orange and Blue Party supporter Travis Hornsby. At one point, Cavataro said, Hornsby knocked on a residence door and mentioned that Cavataro was running for re-election in the Student Senate.
Cavataro said after the incident, he immediately pulled Hornsby aside and told him not to do it again.
During deliberations, commissioners debated whether campaigning at one door could be considered door-to-door campaigning. They also debated whether Cavataro campaigning in lounge areas he did not have access to with his dorm card was a violation of the statute.
Michael Hoffman, Gator Party counsel, said Cavataro knew the rules and broke them anyway, and he influenced the election as a result.
Cain Norris, Orange and Blue Party counsel, countered that Cavataro, who was re-elected to his seat, was innocent and pointed out that he won by a wide margin. Election results show Cavataro won by almost 20 percentage points.
Commissioners initially seemed hesitant to recommend Cavataro for disqualification.
"I just think that, at the end of the day, he colored a little bit outside the lines," said Commissioner Stephen Lawson.
Lawson changed his mind, however, after he considered a statement from an occupant of the dorm room where Hornsby campaigned. In contradiction to Cavataro's statement, the letter alleged that the occupant talked with one or both of the campaigners about the election for a few minutes.
After the meeting, Orange and Blue Party President Sam Miorelli said he was disappointed that his party could not question the occupant of the room or the other witnesses who provided written statements. Miorelli also questioned the impartiality of the commission by implying that some commissioners were Gator Party supporters.
Cavataro declined to comment, citing the possibility of legal action.
Hoffman said in an interview Sunday his party was "pleased to see justice served," and he hopes the Supreme Court will uphold the ruling.
In other rulings, the commission decided to fine the Gator Party $36 for three campaign banners that were too large.
The commission also found Gator Party Treasurer Brady Beitlich guilty of misrepresenting the Orange and Blue Party's platform in the "LIES" fliers that were distributed Tuesday and listed several alleged lies from the Orange and Blue Party and several alleged truths from the Gator Party.
Beitlich was issued a public reprimand and will be required to write a letter of apology and read it before the Student Senate.
Beitlich, who said he did not write the flier, said in a Sunday interview that he thought the ruling was fair.
