Bex Punishment and NOLA Tampering Accusations

[manicmav36]

Recently there were tampering allegations made against the New Orleans Second Line. Screenshots were introduced to HO that raised enough questions that we concluded an investigation into these claims were warranted. I personally was given access to the server in which the screenshots originated. During my search of the server there were no comments, beyond what is already known, that indicated tampering had occurred. While there were questionable statements being made, there was nothing that proved tampering had occurred and nowhere near anything worthy of a tampering punishment.
When I asked for access to the server mod logs from user Bex, however, she admitted to deleting 3 messages from user TomHanks (TH) before giving me access to the mod logs.

The messages were deleted exactly 1 minute before Bex gave me access to the server in order to hide them from me. The comments are not recoverable, and there is no way to prove or disprove what they said.

Both Bex and TH claim the 3 deleted messages belong in this conversation.

They also both claim that the messages deleted were from a joke that was made in poor taste. This is the reasoning that Bex gave for deleting the messages. Both Bex and TH separately told me it was the same joke. TH states that although he’s not proud of the joke, he does not understand why Bex would delete the messages. Bex has done great things for this league in her short time as commissioner. However, Bex undeniably deleted messages while fully aware of the ongoing tampering investigation. She is not immune to punishment, no matter how much she helps the league.

The timeline of events was as follows.
- 9:49 AM – I ask for access to the server
- 9:59 AM – Bex deletes 3 messages
- 10:00 AM – Bex invites me to the server
- 11:58 AM – I ask for access to the change logs
- 12:25 PM – Bex admits to deleting 3 messages before giving me access to the change logs

So, where do we go from here? We’ve only had 1 case of evidence tampering that is even remotely comparable, with ER here.
However, not only were we able to uncover what ER deleted, it was also for a much more serious situation. He was running a network of multis beyond belief. So, in reality, these two aren’t even in the same ballpark. While it’s obvious that Bex tampered with evidence, it’s not clear what it is evidence of. A bad joke, tampering, or something entirely different? Because of both the seriousness and the profile of the person behind these actions, we’re going to do something we’ve never done before. We will be leaning heavily on the people who have to work with Bex the most, the Head Office and GMs of the NSFL. Bex will be allowed to stay on as a member of the Head Office if she so chooses, but will have her mod privileges revoked, and will not receive pay for any league jobs this season. A probationary period, if you will. At the end of the current season (S20) we will hold two individual votes, one with just the Head Office, and the other with just the GMs of the league (one vote per team) We strongly encourage GMs to consult with, or even poll, their team at that time on the situation. A majority vote from both groups (3/4 votes from HO and 6/10 for NSFL GMs) will be required for Bex to keep her position as commissioner and return her privileges for the following season (S21). Should she fail to receive a majority in either vote, she will be removed from Head Office at season’s end. The commissioner is a position built on the trust of the league, and if this league no longer has faith in that leadership, that should be rectified. We are giving the league that voice and we hope they choose to use it both properly and responsibly.

Members included in this decision were our 4 remaining HO members, and league owner slm.

I ask that, regardless of if you agree or disagree with the decision made, please, keep your comments civil.