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TITLE: Ethics Committee. Ashu Solo discontinued his membership. Complaint can’t proceed through this route.
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On Dec 8, 2013, at 12:34 PM, “Sandra Finley” wrote:
TO:
– Patricia Farnese in her role of GPC Rep for Sask
– Victor Lau, in his role of leader, GPS
A young woman who I do not know contacted me via facebook. She is a dedicated Green, and concerned about Ashu’s role in the Green Parties. I presume she approached me because my association with the Greens in Sask. is known.
More seriously: she submitted email exchanges. My quick interpretation is a case of cyber bullying to the point where the woman is fearful of what Ashu can do to her by what he is posting, including and up to material on a blog – – she says the material Ashu is posting about her is unfounded.
My interpretation of her handling of the situation is that she is intimidated to the point of inaction because she is powerless in the face of the attacks – – afraid that if she takes more steps, Ashu will make it worse for her. (You would have to be savvy with internet technology, and have a whole lot of time to spare, to be able to launch a defence against the attacks.)
In making an initial determination of whether her fears are justified, I did a search on her name: the web presence that has been created is such that everything that comes up is the (false and defaming) statements by Ashu, about her.
IT suggests to me that this is a serious allegation, demanding of our attention and speedy resolution.
There are some steps that should be taken ASAP. I think that control of the Green Party facebook pages should be put into secure hands pending the outcome of investigations.
I invite your input.
Sandra
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From: Patricia Farnese
Sent: December-08-13 2:06 PM
To: Sandra Finley
Subject: Re: Complaint received, serious, re Ashu Solo
If its tonnia Zimmerman, we’ve been in contact. I will be presenting what she sent me to the chair of ethics this week. IPf
Sent from my iPhone
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From: Sandra Finley
Sent: December-09-13 10:24 PM
To: Marlene Wells; PatriciaGRN Farnese
Subject: RE: Message sent to Complainant re Ashu Solo
Hi Marlene and Patricia,
My reply to Tonia may have been unnecessary, in light of fact that Patricia is taking the complaint to Ethics Committee.
Prior to knowing that, I messaged Tonia – – she should be a decision-maker in how (whether) things proceed.
/Sandra
APPENDED
Hi Tonia,
There is no problem maintaining a written record. It is a good way to proceed.
I approach this as a complaint; the Green Party has procedures to follow, which should ensure a fair and just outcome. It is also the best insurance against the thing you have identified: “conversations misrepresented”.
I think my role is to act as a facilitator in this case, to forward the complaint to the right people.
It will not be beneficial to you if I intervene in any other way; I believe that Ashu Solo would claim it as evidence that I have a vendetta against him, which is not true.
If you wish to proceed with a complaint, which I would encourage you to do, I will see that it is put into confidential and competent hands in the Green Party of Canada.
Please advise me whether you wish to proceed. If you do, the documentation should be forwarded as soon as possible, in time for the meeting agenda.
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From: Larry Waldinger
Sent: December-09-13 11:31 AM
To: Sandra Finley
Subject: Re: Complaint received, serious, re Ashu Solo
Sandra:
I bet you are talking about Tonia Zimmerman. I would tend to believe what Ashu says about her rather than what she has to say about Ashu. Tonia made similar complaints to Patricia Farnese.
I have read literally hundreds of blistering comments online about Ashu coming from so called Christians, so I am not surprised to hear about lies spread about him. I have seen racist comments online from my fellow bus drivers in response to Ashu’s complaint about the Merry Christmas signs on buses. I received my own threat too simply for openly agreeing with Ashu at work. Even though the coverage and backlash I have received is a tiny fraction of what Ashu is receiving I felt very uncomfortable about it.
Here is something Ashu wrote about Tonia recently in an email to Patricia Farnese:
“Tonia Zimmerman is harassing the hell out of me. She was following me
around in different Facebook groups and saying how ugly I am and posting
lies in different news articles about me saying I threatened her and
sent sexual messages to her. The StarPhoenix deleted most of her lies.
Why would I send sexual messages to someone I hate? I’m not a pervert.
If I threatened her, she should go to the cops.”
If it is not Tonia you are talking about, Sandra I would still be skeptical. Many people have spread lies about Ashu, and he has been physically assaulted too. If Ashu is encouraging a critic to report him to the police it would appear that he has nothing to hide.
I did not tell Ashu about this email or your concern over this complaint you received. Perhaps you should forward the complaints you are receiving to the authorities. Supposedly cyber-bullying is taken more seriously now by law enforcement. (It appears that cyber-bullying legislation has been used to strengthen police powers and only give the appearance that the Conservative government cares about the issue.) I don’t think Ashu has any fear of being investigated. I believe he is the victim of bullying.
I just had a look at Tonia’s Facebook page, and here is something she wrote about Ashu on March 15: “Bald? Check. Fat? Check. Virgin? Probably.” That doesn’t sound like the words of an innocent victim.
Regards,
Larry
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From: Sandra Finley
Sent: December-09-13 1:13 PM
To: ‘Larry Waldinger’
Subject: RE: Complaint received, serious, re Ashu Solo
Thanks Larry.
I think your advice is sound.
I would like to just turn it over to the authorities for them to investigate.
But I think we need to do an initial screening, to determine whether it should be turned over.
Maybe establish a committee of 3 people to look into it, and then make a recommendation?
Anyhow – thanks for your input.
Will look at other input, too and then get back to people.
Sandra
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From: Mark Bigland-Pritchard / Low Energy Design Ltd
Sent: December-10-13 6:39 AM
To: Victor Lau; Sandra Finley
Cc: PatriciaGRN Farnese; Marlene Wells; LarryGRN Waldinger; VickiGRN Strelioff
Subject: Re: Complaint received, serious, re Ashu Solo
I agree that both Tonia Zimmermann’s allegations against Ashu and Ashu’s counter-allegations need to be thoroughly investigated.
I expect that I will have no further substantive comment until such investigations are complete.
mark
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From: Vicki Strelioff
Sent: December-10-13 6:01 AM
To: Marlene Wells; Farnese, Patricia; Sandra Finley
Subject: Zimmerman vs Solo Complaint
I received a phonecall last night from Ashu regarding his complaint that he is being slandered.
As I have not actually read any of the alleged slanderous emails and posted comments on Facebook and Twitter written by Tonia Zimmerman or Ashu, I don’t have anything on which to judge. As I have a lack of evidence, it is to me just a “He said, she said” argument (unless I see something to the contrary). Therefore, I told Ashu that I don’t know very much about it and I really don’t have any interest in this business as I have my mom and family as my top priority at this time.
I understand that the complaint has been sent to the GPC ethics committee and hopefully we will get some official direction on the matter.
As I have not had time on my computer at home to have Facebook access (as well as not being Facebook savvy), I haven’t looked into taking away Ashu’s access to administering the Facebook page until this matter is resolved (whether temporarily or permanently). I may have some time on Thursday evening or Friday to look into how to do this.
In the meantime, I believe we need to tread very carefully so that both complaints are treated fairly and equally. Is there enough evidence to have either complaint considered “cyberbullying” to hand over to the RCMP to perhaps do a electronic forensic audit to find the evidence that I have been told has been taken down from social media as well as tracing any relevant emails?
For those dealing with this, I appreciate your time in sifting through it and please do keep me in the loop as you can as I do read my emails.
Vicki
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From: Sandra Finley
Sent: December-10-13 10:30 AM
To: ‘Vicki Strelioff’
Subject: RE: Zimmerman vs Solo Complaint
Noted. Thanks Vicki
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From: Sandra Finley
Sent: December-10-13 11:49 AM
To: PatriciaGRN Farnese; Marlene Wells
Subject: FW RE Ashu Solo: the complainant wishes to proceed
For your documentation.
From: Facebook
Sent: December-10-13 10:20 AM
To: Sandra Finley
Subject: New messages from Tonia Zimmerman
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Hello Sandra,
This seems like the wisest course of action. I absolutely want to proceed. Thank you.
Tonia |
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So should I forward the documentation to you? Or is there a form to fill out? |
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On 2013:12:10 Victor Lau wrote:
Hello Sandra,
These allegations are of quite a serious nature and should be thoroughly investigated.
Please forward to me the contact info of this woman so that I can get in touch with her.
Thank you so much for alerting me to this situation.
Sincerely, vic lau.
PS- You mention that the woman who is being threatened is a dedicated Green, is she a federal Green Party member? GPS Member? Or both?
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On 2013-12-10, at 2:09 PM, “Sandra Finley” wrote:
Hi Victor,
In reply to your questions:
1. The woman prefers that the matter be handled in writing, no phone calls. For two reasons:
– It provides an accurate record of what has been communicated (we all tend to have faulty memories!).
– She feels that her verbal communications at the beginning have been misrepresented.
2. I presumed that the woman is a “Green”, supportive federally and provincially. Some of the exchange took place on the GPS (Green Party of Sask) F/B group. I did not ask her the question directly (it is not relevant to the allegation).
3. RE your thought should be thoroughly investigated: As it turns out, the ethics committee of the GPC meets this weekend. It is their responsibility to deal with matters such as this one. The committee is arms’ length from the people involved (they don’t know the complainant or the accused).
I communicated to the complainant:
the Green Party has procedures to follow, which should ensure a fair and just outcome. It is also the best insurance against the thing you have identified: “conversations misrepresented”.
I think my role is to act as a facilitator in this case, to forward the complaint to the right people.
Please advise me whether you wish to proceed. If you do, the documentation should be forwarded as soon as possible, in time for the (INSERT: ethics) meeting agenda.
UPDATE: The complainant responded this morning (Dec 10): This seems like the wisest course of action. I absolutely want to proceed. Thank you.
I have just now forwarded that input (a woman wishes to file a complaint) to the GPC. The committee will not have had time to advise Ashu about the complaint and the process for resolution. The process will afford Ashu ample opportunity to present his view of events, if the committee decision is that sufficient evidence exists to call for further investigation (i.e. the complaint is not frivolous).
In the interests of
– “due process” (a process to achieve fair and just outcome), and
– especially in a situation where the accused has a presence (relationships) locally in the Green Parties,
the matter should proceed more or less as outlined. And the appropriate people will be informed, as the process moves forward.
As always, your (everyone’s) further thoughts are welcome.
Note: I dropped Mark from the “reply to all”, in accordance with his input.
Best to all,
Sandra
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From: Patricia Farnese
Sent: December-10-13 12:15 PM
To: Sandra Finley
Cc: Victor Lau; Marlene Wells; LarryGRN Waldinger; VickiGRN Strelioff
Subject: Re: Response to Victor re Complaint received, serious, re Ashu Solo
Sorry Sandra I omitted you on an earlier email. She is not a GPC member, so our ethics procedures don’t really apply. The ethics committee is not meeting this weekend. Federal Council is meeting. I am going to speak with the chair of the ethics committee to determine how best to proceed and will solicit the advice of the executive director and other federal council members. Pf
Sent from my iPhone
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On 2013-12-11, at 12:37 AM, “Sandra Finley” wrote:
Patricia – –
Is the question whether Ashu is a GPC member?
Sandra
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From: Patricia Farnese
Sent: December-11-13 5:01 AM
To: Sandra Finley
Subject: Re: Response to Victor re Complaint received, serious, re Ashu Solo
No. Tonia isn’t
Sent from my iPhone
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On 2013-12-11, at 11:46 AM, “Sandra Finley” wrote:
What I am questioning:
– Does Tonia’s status in the party (member or non-member) matter?
– The allegations are against Ashu, in his capacity of being a member of the GPC/GPS. Whether disciplinary action is taken would depend on HIS status, not hers??
Sandra
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From: Patricia Farnese
Sent: December-11-13 11:04 AM
To: Sandra Finley
Subject: Re: I am not questioning Tonia’s status, rather . . .
No our ethics procedure covers issues between members and employees. We don’t have a policy that covers a complaint against a member. We do for candidates. That’s why I’m trying to figure out how to proceed.
Sent from my iPhone
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From: Sandra Finley
Sent: December-11-13 2:31 PM
To: ‘Patricia Farnese’
Cc: Marlene Wells; VickiGRN Strelioff
Subject: RE: PROCEDURE for dealing with the complaint against Ashu Solo
Patricia – – would it be helpful to forward the following, in accordance with your suggestion: ?
I am going to speak with the chair of the ethics committee to determine how best to proceed and will solicit the advice of the executive director and other federal council members. Pf
Ashu Solo is acting as though he is a legitimate representative of the Green Party, federally and provincially. The allegations against him are serious. The matter needs to be dealt with expeditiously.
REQUEST:
- A determination whether the complaint is actionable by the ethics committee
- If actionable, at the earliest convenience, notice be sent to Ashu Solo that there is a complaint against him, along with a description of the process that will be followed for resolution.
- The same communication be sent to the complainant.
- At the earliest possible convenience, the complainant be told a contact person / email address she should communicate through (access to the information she has posted) (which I have not seen, and do not want to see – – this matter needs to be heard by people who are arms’ length.)
NOTE: There was a mix-up via which I incorrectly advised the complainant that the ethics committee will meet this weekend.
(See the appended) I advised her:
the Green Party has procedures to follow, which should ensure a fair and just outcome.
Sorry to table these matters that are only a drain on our energy and time.
Thank-you for your consideration.
Sandra Finley
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From: Patricia Farnese
Sent: December-11-13 4:46 PM
To: Sandra Finley
Subject: Re: I am not questioning Tonia’s status, rather . . .
Sorry. Are you dealing with this or am I? I don’t care either way, but think we shouldn’t be duplicating out efforts.
Sent from my iPhone
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On 2013-12-11, at 7:20 PM, “Sandra Finley” wrote:
I am happy to have you dealing with it, Patricia.
When I responded to this person (INSERT: Tonia Zimmerman), I did not know that you had been involved.
Are you connected with her on facebook? If not, how about if I draw my involvement to a close, through a message that goes to you both via F/b?
Sandra
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From: Patricia Farnese
Sent: December-12-13 3:15 AM
To: Sandra Finley
Subject: Re: I am not questioning Tonia’s status, rather . . .
Sounds good.
Sent from my iPhone
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From: Sandra Finley
Sent: December-12-13 12:42 PM
To: ‘Patricia Farnese’
Subject: RE: FYI Ashu
This is just FYI, Patricia.
My reading of Ashu’s actions yesterday and today: he is scared of what will come out of a fair hearing process.
I am not responding to anything I receive from him.
Larry phoned yesterday to ask if he could give my phone number to Ashu (Ashu asked him for it). I told Larry “no”.
Today Ashu sent the predictable email of threats to me.
Sandra
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On 2013-12-17, at 9:31 PM,
Thanks Patricia,
I will follow through and contact ethics. Thanks for the direction.
I see where Ashu is now claiming that he is no longer a member of the �gpc.
Sandra
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Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2013 00:21:43 -0600
From: Patricia Farnese
Reply-To: Patricia Farnese
Subject: Re: Ashu
To: Sandra Finley
I have confirmed he is no longer a member of the GPC. I’d just ignore him. There is not much we can do at this point. Pf
Sent from my iPhone
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