Accusations flew and divided a group at last night's meeting of the University chapter of the College Republicans, which culminated in the impeachment of Nick Kirk as the organization's president.
The impeachment came after the accusation that Kirk forged press identification to gain entrance to the Michigan Republican Convention on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
Kirk said he will return next Wednesday as a member of the group.
"I am glad I have worked with you all this year," Kirk said. "I've had a fantastic run with you people."
The executive board of the group voted to impeach Kirk. He will be replaced by vice president Elias Xenos until next Wednesday, when a new president will be elected. Before the meeting, Xenos asked Kirk to resign.
"I have no personal vendetta against Mr. Kirk," Xenos said. "We can't deny it to ourselves any longer - our reputation has been severely tarnished."
The executive board also said they impeached Kirk because he was usurping power from other officers - including the treasurer, Jen Skomer, who said she never received information about the group's bank account.
"Money was taken out of the account without my knowledge," Skomer said. "I don't receive any information about this account."
Kirk denied those charges and said Skomer is only trying to turn the group against him.
"She was just trying to whip up the group against me," Kirk said. "The charges by Jen Skomer are false."
Angie Jerkatis, the group's former president, said that although she disagrees with Kirk on certain issues, impeachment was not the best option.
"Nick and I have had problems over the years, but I don't think impeaching him now will help the group at all," Jerkatis said. "But hopefully, the group will unite."
Before the impeachment, Kirk accused members of rigging the upcoming executive board election. The group requires a $10-membership fee before a member can vote in officer elections.
He said the lump sum of $400 that was paid to add 40 new members before the March 19 officer election aided certain candidates.
Kirk said Rich Kovacik, who was planning to run for vice president, paid the treasurer the money to admit the members.
Kovacik said he had informed both Kirk and Xenos of the transaction, and Xenos, who serves as the group's parliamentarian, approved it.
"Up until tonight's meeting, I thought what I was doing was 100 percent legal," Kovacik said.
Xenos said he told Kovacik that admitting the new members was legal under the group's constitution.
"I saw nothing wrong with it. I told him to go ahead with it," Xenos said.
Xenos said the group plans to work together with Mark Potts, who is running unopposed for president. Xenos planned to run for president until tonight, when he withdrew his candidacy.
"The number-one issue we need to focus on is some cohesion in our group," Xenos said.
Kovacik declared last night that he was stepping down from the race for the vice presidency. He said he is satisfied with the group's decision to impeach Kirk.
"I think the impeachment of Nick Kirk will help the conservatives among campus," Kovacik said.
"There are moderate Republicans, and it's unfortunate Nick is so extreme."
Jason Brewer, the third vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party, attended last night's meeting and said he was displeased with the division.
"This is an absolute circus," Brewer said.
AJA DEKLEVA COHEN/Daily
LSA junior Nick Kirk speaks during a meeting of the University's chapter of the College Republicans last night. Kirk was impeached from his post as president of the organization last night.