Former officers of FSU College Republicans chapter cleared in separate probes

Byron Dobson | Tallahassee Democrat

The former chairman of the FSU College Republicans hopes his chances of getting a job improve now that the university has determined allegations of sexual harassment against him were unfounded.

James Fletcher Dilmore recently was cleared following an investigation by the university’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

A second investigation of allegations of financial mismanagement by the chapter’s treasurer by the FSU Police Department also has been concluded with no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

In January, Dilmore, the group's chairman, and Ben Hodes, its treasurer, were suspended from the organization by Cade Marsh, chairman of the Florida Federation of College Republicans.

The suspension letter alleged "sexual harassment of executive board members, vulgar language and sexually charged speech” against Dilmore, reportedly by chapter members. It also accused Dilmore of soliciting sexual favors in exchange for board positions.

Previous coverage: President, treasurer of FSU College Republicans, suspended from chapter, facing inquiry

The same letter accused Hodes of failing to keep proper records of the chapter’s finances and being unable to account for more than $16,000 in chapter dues and other money.

The university’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities investigated claims against Dilmore, along with FSU’s Title IX office. It involved interviews with students and chapter members.

Hodes’ case was investigated by FSU police, with assistance from the university auditor’s office. Hodes, who has since graduated, did not return a phone call for comment.

Rod Kelley, assistant dean of students, sent Dilmore a letter on May 31 absolving him of any violations of student conduct code.

“There was not even an accuser; it was completely false, said Dilmore, who graduated this spring with a double major in finance and real estate. “This has very much damaged my career aspirations and my future employment.”

Dilmore said the investigation resulted from the Florida Federation of College Republicans leaking information that was “baseless and lacked even one accuser.”

In January, Marsh told the Democrat the accusations were not “criminal” in nature, and the information came to his office from board members of the FSU chapter.

“These allegations had only one intention, and that was to ruin my name and reputation for personal differences, not because I had done anything wrong,” said Dilmore, a native of Chipley.

Sam Staley, a professor in the College of Social Science and Public Policy, said he believes the complaints could have been handled internally for verification, rather than being made public. Staley is the adviser for the student chapter.

“I am not surprised by the findings from the FSU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and believe they are fair based on what I know of the testimony provided to FSU,” Staley said.

Staley said he believes the allegations originated with the Florida Federation of College Republicans, not from a complaint to the office by an FSU student.

“The FSU investigation stemmed from the public release of internal documents,” he said.

Marsh could not be reached for comment.

Moving forward, Staley said he will work with the Federation to making sure procedures are in place to handle such internal complaints “to minimize the likelihood student reputations will not be unjustly compromised in public or private in the future.”

The Florida Federation of College Republicans is the governing body of all college Republican chapters in Florida, Marsh said. There are between 23 and 26 federated chapters in Florida. The FSU chapter's website says it has over 200 members.

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.