News

Miller may be investigated for fraud 

By Ray Hafner
Senior Staff Writer

Less than two weeks after she won the election to remain Student Government Association President by a landslide, Dawona Miller is under attack from several fronts with allegations of fraud, attempted misuse of student fees and misuse of school property.

Lorrie Novosad/The Daily Cougar

A letter that was part of Milleris financial statement -- required by all candidates -- claims that a high school advancement program paid for Student Voiceis campaign materials. The letter, dated March 13, is signed by Kathy Williams, director of the Huston-Tillotson College Upward Bound program, and gives an Austin phone number.

But phone calls to Huston-Tillotson College found no Kathy Williams had ever worked there, and the collegeis Web site had no listing for a Kathy Williams in its staff directory.

The phone number given is identical to one previously used as a home number by Miller. An answering machine at that number makes no reference to Huston-Tillotson and simply asks the caller to leave a message.

Miller did not return phone calls Tuesday and was not in her office during posted office hours.

In a letter to Heidi Kennedy, assistant dean of students, the commission requests further investigation into Milleris financial statements. "It is also our feeling that this false statement was made knowingly and intentionally," the letter continues.

One official in SGA, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, believed Miller falsified her statement to cover up the use of SGA's paper supplies and copy machine, which are paid for by student fees.

Use of SGA material for campaigns would be considered personal use and is barred by UH policy.

SGAis Speaker Pro Tempore David Burkley said he assisted Miller in posting campaign material but said she made the copies off campus.

"She had them under control. That was her contribution," he said. Volunteers then posted the material around campus. Burkley said he doubted Miller could have made the copies on campus without being seen.

In an incident unrelated to the campaign, Director of Campus Activities Zach Coapland is investigating Miller over the unauthorized ordering of a Palm Pilot personal organizer.

"There appears to have been an order placed without my authorization," said Coapland, who must approve this type of purchase. The investigation is a "major priority," Coapland said.

One official, also anonymous, said Miller asked SGAis administrative assistant Shirley Johnson to order the $400 Palm Pilot and pay for it with student fees. When campus activities officials began investigating last week, Miller told Johnson to cancel the order and then denied ever placing it, the source said.

Johnson said she was told to order it, but declined to say who asked her to do so.

Coapland said that if a student were found to have been responsible then he would refer the issue to the Dean of Students. If a staff member was responsible, then he would handle it as a human resources issue.
 

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