The Student Government Association allegedly violated Louisiana state laws during a recent impeachment.

On April 9, the SGA Supreme Court held an impeachment of Athletic Senator Cruz Cassard.

The impeachment was petitioned by Liberal Arts Senator Kennedi Johnson and led by Chief Supreme Court Justice Grant Rebstock.

Cassard delivered six pretrial motions to state his case during his opening statement.

According to Rebstock, Cassard’s pretrial motions were unanimously denied during the discussion because SGA does not follow the U.S. Constitution or Louisiana state laws.

“As a court, we do not practice under the U.S. Constitution,” Rebstock said.  “We only practice under the SGA constitution with a procedure and bylaws.”

A 1994 opinion by the attorney general’s office concluded that the Louisiana State University student government is a public body under the Open Meetings Law.

Cassard requested to the SGA that the trial be open to the student body so they could participate in the discussion.

“Unfortunately, the petitioner and the student supreme court disagreed with that,” Cassard said.

Rebstock announced that it was unanimously decided to have a closed trial during the deliberation.

Louisiana Open Meetings Law states that an executive session shall be limited to matters of the trial. However, no final action shall be taken during an executive session.

Rebstock asked the media members to leave so they could continue with the trial.

The media refused to leave, stating they were allowed to stay under state law.

“No, unfortunately, [that] doesn’t matter,” Rebstock said.

Education Senator Andrew Naquin stated that none of the business we [SGA] do is public.

Media members were escorted out by a Nicholls State University police officer.

No verdict was given after a three-hour trial that ended after 9 p.m.

Cassard said a verdict should be given within one to two business days.

“SGA has a transparency problem,” Cassard said. “This trial was kept away from the students and was not publicly announced.”

SGA President Jax Badeaux was absent from the trial and did not comment.

Justice Rebstock was also reached out to by KNSU-TV but did not receive a reply.