Barbara
Vandermark, Ethics Committee Liaison
Dear
Barbara:
The USCF Ethics Committee has
considered the complaint by Steve Sawyer against Steve Wharry. By a vote of 7-0, with one abstention, the
Committee finds that Mr. Wharry has violated section 5(h) of the Code of Ethics
and recommends that he receive a reprimand.
We further recommend that Mr. Wharry be advised that he cannot ban Mr.
Sawyer from any further tournaments without due process and for just
cause.
By a vote of 7-0, with one abstention,
the Committee agrees that this letter fairly represents its opinion in this
case.
Sincerely,
Hal Terrie (USCF Ethics Committee Chair)
********************************************
Mr.
Steve Sawyer
Mr. Steve Wharry
Enclosed
please find a copy of the Ethics Committee decision regarding the complaint
filed against Mr. Steve Wharry.
According to Section 6(c) of the USCF Code of Ethics, the person against
whom sanctions have been recommended has 30 days in which he may file an
appeal. If an appeal is not filed in
that period, the sanction(s) goes into effect.
Any appeal should be sent to the attention of Barbara Vandermark,
Executive Assistant, at the USCF office.
In
accordance with the recommendation of the Ethics Committee, the USCF office has
decided that the recommended reprimand is in order. According to the Code of Ethics a reprimand
is defined as: "A determination
that a member has committed an offense warranting discipline becomes a matter
of record, but no further sanction is imposed at the time. A reprimand automatically carries a probation
of at least three months, or longer if so specified. If the member is judged guilty of another
offense during the probation, he or she is then liable to further sanctions for
both offenses." In this case a
probation of three months has been decided.
It
should also be noted that Mr. Wharry can not ban Mr. Sawyer from any further
tournaments without due process and for just cause.
For
your information the Code of Ethics can be found on the USCF website www.uschess.org under "governance," or
copies may be requested from the USCF office.
Sincerely,
Barb
Vandermark
Executive
Assistant
Office
Liaison to the Ethics Committee