Bucharest exonerated

The student accused by an economics professor of being an FBI agent was cleared of all charges brought against him, during a student code of conduct hearing on March 19.

ASPSU Chief of Staff Zaki Bucharest was accused last term by several students of carrying a gun and threatening to use it. This followed allegations made during a class by tenured economics Professor John Hall that Bucharest is an FBI informant, an agent provocateur and a danger to other students. A handful of anonymous PSU students notified the Campus Public Safety Office of their concerns that Bucharest is a danger and threat to campus.

The Student Conduct Committee addressed these students’ concerns in a closed-door hearing, ultimately clearing Bucharest of all charges against him. Representatives from the Dean of Students office said that in order to preserve students’ privacy, no details about specific hearings can be given.

A group of 22 friends and supporters were present, outside of the hearing, to demonstrate solidarity for Bucharest. The students held fliers that stated “We Are All Zaki B.” ASPSU President Jonathan Sanford was present in the hearing to show support for his friend.

Bucharest said he merely wishes to return to student life.

“I wish this experience upon no other human. It is not what anyone comes to a university for,” Bucharest said.

He also said that “written witness testimony and witnesses willing to give their testimony in person neutralized the hearsay allegations…much of the allegations were contradictory.”

Bucharest said he feels sorry for those affected by the incident in any way.

“I am a student, a father, a son, a friend and an activist. If there are those that fear, hate or don’t understand that, then I ask for their forgiveness,” Bucharest said.

ASPSU Communication Director Laura Morency, present at the hearing gathering, felt that Bucharest was “wrongfully accused.”

“[He] is an outstanding citizen,” Morency said.

She also said that the “fake, unfounded accusations” stemmed from “rumor mongering.”

On March 17, ASPSU Outreach and Funding Coordinator Tasha Triplett sent an e-mail to mutual friends of Zaki asking for help. Triplett encouraged the recipients to write letters of support and to congregate at the hearing.

“We need to come together…and show this campus that we will not stand idly by and watch a valued member of our community be punished based on hearsay [and] redacted statements without any concrete evidence and due process of law,” the e-mail said.

“…Zaki has this amazing ability to connect diverse communities—sometimes opposing groups in the mainstream—here on campus to work towards the common goal of better rights and access to all students for higher education, inspiring students to look at the larger picture of working toward what is best for all of humanity,” Triplett said.