Investigator's report into campaign finance violations released

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The independent investigation commissioned by Grand Valley State University into allegations of campaign finance violations by one of its employees has concluded that there was minimal violation by that employee. It also uncovered violations by the other employee who filed the original complaint.

The university hired Alan Wilk of Dykema Gossett PLLC of Lansing to look into allegations by Derrick Martin against Arneada (Arnie) Smithalexander regarding the use of university resources during her 2005 campaign for the Grand Rapids Public School Board.

Smithalexander is the director of the TRIO office at Grand Valley. She supervises Martin who is in a clerical position in that office.

Wilk’s report states that after reviewing approximately 172 pages of documents and conducting 18 interviews, there is little evidence that the 2005 campaign documents contained on a flash drive in question were created on university computers by university personnel during regular business hours.

The report states there is “some evidence of minimal use of university staff for campaign purposes,” even though Smithalexander emphasized to staff they should work as a volunteer outside of their university hours. The hours charged to the university are difficult to determine, and more investigation is needed to calculate the amount. Smithalexander is prepared to reimburse the university.

“I feel vindicated by the report of the independent investigator,” said Smithalexander. “I have always been up front and honest with Grand Valley about my campaign. I tried very hard to keep that work separate from Grand Valley. Since there was minimal use of some Grand Valley resources, I will gladly repay it from my own pocket.”

In the course of looking into the allegations against Smithalexander by Martin, the independent investigators found that Martin is sending e-mails, documents and photographs related to Martin’s campaign for the Grand Rapids School Board using university equipment and his university e-mail account.

The Dykema investigation reviewed 30 pages of e-mails and documents and determined the majority of the e-mails were sent by Martin during the regular university workday. Grand Valley is also seeking reimbursement from Martin, who resigned March 11, effective immediately.