GRIFFIN CONCEDES AFTER
FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS
BALLOTS REMAIN UNCHANGED
by Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Jefferson Griffin, the Republican NC Appellate Court judge who has legally challenged the double-recount results of his November 2024 election challenge to Democratic NC Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, formally conceded the race to Riggs Wednesday morning after a Trump appointed federal judge ordered that all ballots cast in the disputed contest remain untouched.
In a statement, Judge Griffin said he would not appeal the 68-page ruling from the
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Myers, although he did not agree with it.
The election was to decide who would retain Justice Riggs’ seat on the NC Supreme Court for the next eight years.
Judge Myers’ Monday decision cancelled out previous rulings by the NC Supreme Court and the NC Court of Appeals, both of whom agreed to varying degrees with Judge Griffin to discount votes from the 5.5 million that were cast last November in the race.
Griffin had alleged in various legal challenges that due to administrative error on the part of the state Board of Elections, upwards of 60,000 votes cast in the Riggs-griffin election should not qualify, hoping that by doing so, he would ultimately be declared the winner.
Justice Riggs, one of two Democrats on the state Supreme Court, countered that it was not only wrong, but unconstitutional to remove votes from an election after it has already ended.
“Today, we won. I‘m proud to continue upholding the Constitution and the rule of law as North Carolina’s Supreme Court Justice,” Justice Riggs said in a statement after federal Judge Myers issued his ruling Monday night.
In his ruling Monday night, Judge Myers stated, “ …this case is not about the prerogative of North Carolina courts to interpret North Carolina law. Without question, those courts ‘are the principal expositors of state law. This case is also not about North Carolina’s primacy to establish rules for future state elections; it may do so. Rather, this case concerns whether the federal Constitution permits a state to alter the rules of an election after the fact and apply those changes retroactively to only a select group of voters, and in so doing treat those voters differently than other similarly situated individuals.”
Judge Myers concluded, “This case is also about whether a state may redefine its class of eligible voters but offer no process to those who may have been misclassified as ineligible. To this court, the answer to each of those questions is ‘no.’”
-30-
ST. AUG HOLDS COMMENCEMENT
AMID LAWSUIT BY FORMER PRES.
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
On May 3rd, the class of 2025 at embattled St. Augustine’s University (SAU) in Raleigh received their diplomas, amid controversy over lost accreditation, and a long expected lawsuit filed by a former president.
It was the 94th Baccalaureate commencement ceremony for the small private historically black university, held not on campus, but at Wake Chapel Church’s Life Enrichment Center in Raleigh. 25 students proudly walked the stage, earning their degrees, with at least half of this year’s graduating class earning dean’s list honors.
Eleven other graduating seniors were grateful to receive their diplomas thanks to a church in Alexandria, Virginia which paid a total of $132,000 to clear their outstanding debts owed to SAU. Several members of that church were present at Saturday’s commencement, along with graduates’ families and friends.
“This year’s commencement is more than a ceremony—it is a declaration of our resilience, faith, and relentless commitment to transform lives,” said SAU Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. “We are proud of each graduate and deeply grateful to every partner and supporter who continues to believe in Saint Augustine’s University and its enduring mission.”
The keynote address was delivered by SAU alum Rev. Allen Robinson, who encouraged his alma mater to keep fighting, despite losing its academic accreditation (the school is presently appealing the decision though arbitration), and experiencing severe financial problems.
“I would ask you to just hang in there with St. Augustine’s. Know that God is with us. And that God is doing a new work and a new thing…,” Rev Robinson implored.
The school could use all of the prayers it can get. Prior to its 2025 commencement ceremony Saturday, SAU was hit with a contentious federal sexual discrimination lawsuit by former Pres. Christine McPhail, who was fired in November 2023.
McPhail is specifically targeting former SAU Trustee Board Chairman James Perry and current Chair Brian Boulware (who then served as board vice chair) for what she calls a “hostile work environment,” particularly against female SAU employees and board members.
McPhail further alleges that things came to a head at a trustee board meeting in October 2023, when she was derogatorily treated by a trustee board member, forcing her to file a complaint. As a result, she alleges, there was retaliation against her, ultimately leading to her dismissal the following month.
A complaint was later filed with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) claiming gender discrimination and a hostile workplace for black female SAU employees.
McPhail is seeking over $75,000 in punitive and compensatory damages, in addition to attorneys’ fees in her lawsuit. Though earmarked to go to mediation, she could get more in damages if the case goes to trial with a judge or jury deciding.
A lawyer for SAU has released a statement, saying, “The Saint Augustine’s University Board of Trustees is aware of the lawsuit filed by former President Dr. Christine McPhail. While we refrain from commenting on the specifics of pending litigation, we remain confident that our actions will be affirmed in this litigation. We trust that the judicial process will consider the full scope of evidence — including the facts and historical revelations outlined in the recent statement by Board Chairman Brian Boulware. The Board stands firmly behind its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the continued mission of this institution. We believe that the court will render its judgment based on truth and documented evidence.”
-30-
NC HOUSE PASSES
ANTI-DEI LAW
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
The state onslaught against DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) continued last week as the NC House voted 69-45 to ban state and local government agencies (including schools) from promoting, supporting, funding, implementing or maintaining workplace DEI programs, policies, or initiatives.
All House Republicans present voted for the measure.
House Bill 171 also instructs the Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek, to audit state agencies periodically to determine if they are in compliance with the new law once it’s ratified by the NC Senate.
Any state employee that violates HB 171 could lose their job. There are civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
A previous version of HB 171 would have mandated criminal punishment for violations.
House Majority Leader Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus), primary sponsor of the bill, says that it’s needed to prevent discrimination and restore hiring practices.
“We’ve seen our institutions drift. We’ve watched government move away from excellence and toward agenda hiring, favoring narratives over qualifications, checking boxes instead of resumes. Bureaucracy has grown not to serve — but to sort.”
“Jobs should go to the most qualified, not the most politically favored, Rep. Jones continued. “Diversity is a great thing. Discrimination is a bad thing.”
House Democrats spoke out against Rep. Jones’ anti-DEI measure, with Rep. Amos Quick (D-Guilford) saying, “The first line of this bill says, ‘An act eliminating diversity initiatives.' You cannot value that which you are seeking to eliminate.”
HB 171 is just one of the many anti-DEI bills taken up by the Republican-led NC General Assembly. During this session, the NC Senate passed SB 558, which banned North Carolina public colleges and universities from supporting any diversity, equity or inclusion policies or programs.
The NC Justice Center blasted legislators for their anti-DEI efforts, stating, “…state lawmakers are once again embracing divisive political rhetoric from the Trump administration at the expense of North Carolina communities.”
-30-
No comments:
Post a Comment