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Ansorge recuses himself from Goldman trial
Update: Oct. 7, 11:15 a.m.
by Rachel Marder
Senior Editor
News | 10/2/07
Posted online at 3:28 PM EST on 10/5/07
/ Last updated at 2:01 AM EST on 10/5/07
James Ansorge, chief justice of the Union Judiciary, announced that he has removed himself from ruling on the case against Union Secretary Michael Goldman '08, following a call for recusal by several current and former Union officials.
The case, Maizlish v. Goldman, accuses Goldman of violating his role as elections commissioner by disclosing or hinting at election tallies during the voting period of two Union elections, last month and last spring, and thereby unfairly influencing the elections.
Goldman's counsel accused Ansorge of biasing himself against Goldman by publicly announcing his disapproval of Goldman's actions to several Union officials.
"The Chief Justice's comments have gone so far beyond the standard of impartial conduct as to render his sitting on this case a perversion of the course of justice," the motion, released Wednesday, said.
Jacob Baime '08, Samuel Dewey '06, Igor Pedan '05, Albert Cahn '07, Jason Brodsky '07 and Rachel Graham Kagen '09 submitted the motion for Ansorge's recusal Wednesday at 3:40 a.m.
While Baime and Kagen, the senator for the Charles River Apartments, are serving as Goldman's counsel, it's unclear exactly how the alumni are involved in the case. Baime and Goldman refused to clarify.
Dewey and Pedan are former chief justices and Brodsky served as director of academic affairs last year.
"I feel very strongly that alums have had their opportunities when they were undergrads to experience the challenges of student leadership, and that they should leave such challenges and experiences to the current participants," Sawyer wrote in an e-mail to the Justice Sunday morning.
That said, Sawyer said it's up to the UJ justices how they want to handle the case, but he is here to provide assistance if asked.
Village Quad Senator Michael Kerns '09, Rivka Maizlish's '10 counsel, expressed concern that alumni were submitting motions and acting on behalf of Goldman.
"This is a Student Union case. It's an internal student body matter. I'm sure I'm irritated that it's me up against a Harvard law student and some buddies who are older and have graduated," he said.
The case, Maizlish v. Goldman, accuses Goldman of violating his role as elections commissioner by disclosing or hinting at election tallies during the voting period of two Union elections, last month and last spring, and thereby unfairly influencing the elections.
Goldman's counsel accused Ansorge of biasing himself against Goldman by publicly announcing his disapproval of Goldman's actions to several Union officials.
"The Chief Justice's comments have gone so far beyond the standard of impartial conduct as to render his sitting on this case a perversion of the course of justice," the motion, released Wednesday, said.
Jacob Baime '08, Samuel Dewey '06, Igor Pedan '05, Albert Cahn '07, Jason Brodsky '07 and Rachel Graham Kagen '09 submitted the motion for Ansorge's recusal Wednesday at 3:40 a.m.
While Baime and Kagen, the senator for the Charles River Apartments, are serving as Goldman's counsel, it's unclear exactly how the alumni are involved in the case. Baime and Goldman refused to clarify.
Dewey and Pedan are former chief justices and Brodsky served as director of academic affairs last year.
"I feel very strongly that alums have had their opportunities when they were undergrads to experience the challenges of student leadership, and that they should leave such challenges and experiences to the current participants," Sawyer wrote in an e-mail to the Justice Sunday morning.
That said, Sawyer said it's up to the UJ justices how they want to handle the case, but he is here to provide assistance if asked.
Village Quad Senator Michael Kerns '09, Rivka Maizlish's '10 counsel, expressed concern that alumni were submitting motions and acting on behalf of Goldman.
"This is a Student Union case. It's an internal student body matter. I'm sure I'm irritated that it's me up against a Harvard law student and some buddies who are older and have graduated," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 19
WHOA!!!
posted 10/05/07 @ 4:05 PM EST
If it is true that Dean Sawyer has taken a public position on this case, then Brandeis students should be highly concerned. It would appear that the administration is intervening in Student Affairs in a very inappropriate way. (Continued…)
James Sanders
posted 10/05/07 @ 4:22 PM EST
What ever happened to journalism? If the Justice didn't talk to rick sawyer about his decree...how do they know he handed one down? Did the Justice acquire some sort of top secret ESP machine to figure this out or did someone tell them this? . (Continued…)
Michael Kerns
posted 10/05/07 @ 9:54 PM EST
Dear Readers,
While I have not commented on comments made on Justice articles posted online until now because I have not believed them to be dignified, I wish to make a clarification on this article and also submit a brief response to a comment above here now. (Continued…)
James Sanders
posted 10/06/07 @ 12:14 AM EST
Michael,
Where is this decree rick sawyer made? Did you imagine it? Did he send an email? Leave phone message? I don't recall rick saying this to anyone. (Continued…)
Michael Kerns
posted 10/06/07 @ 1:53 PM EST
Dear James,
I cannot find anybody by the name of "James Sanders" or any relevant variation of either that first or last name either on facebook or the Brandeis directory. (Continued…)
Daniel Stern
posted 10/06/07 @ 2:44 PM EST
Michael Kerns: your thoughts and articulations are well reasoned.... and by and large I agree. If you could only restrain yourself from being so terribly longwinded, I think we would all appreciate it. (Continued…)
Reuven Solomon
posted 10/06/07 @ 9:28 PM EST
I wish I could make it to the theater of the absurd tomorrow, but I feel that anyone who DIVIDES the student UNION government into factions over a clash of personalities doesn't deserve my ear. (Continued…)
James Sanders
posted 10/07/07 @ 1:01 AM EST
Michael,
Just because one is not in the directory and choses not to use facebook doesn't mean they aren't a student (I know, it's hard to believe someone would like a bit of privacy on campus). (Continued…)
Sherlock Holmes
posted 10/08/07 @ 12:14 AM EST
So it has now emerged that Dean Sawyer did not in fact make the comments that Mr. Kerns submitted on his behalf; it also appears that Mr. Kerns has also imagined Mr. (Continued…)
Julius P. Butterworth
posted 10/08/07 @ 12:42 AM EST
Good job Kerns. You see how much bad press you've brought to YOUR Student Union? Read your student newspapers. This whole thing has only brought more distrust by the students in their student government than ever before. (Continued…)
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