The recent racist and antisemitic WhatsApp group chat created by Miami GOP Secretary Abel Alexander Carvajal—a graduate student at Florida International University (FIU)— is being investigated local police and college police, and now we have learned that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), are also looking into the controversial chat."
According to one individual within the FIU administration, the FBI is actively looking into any and all potential criminality that may have occured, and that the offensive language and media attention the chat brought upon itself caused "a massive disruption on campus."
In addition, FIU cannot comment on an active criminal investigation. According to the source, there are "more group chats" out there, and "more people are coming forward " adding that the investigation has expanded because of the huge influx of documentation and tips that has come in.
FIU President Jeanette Nunez stated:
"The Office of Civil Rights and the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity have reviewed more than 1,200 pages of evidence and initiated charges based on violations of the university’s non-discrimination regulation and the Student Code of Conduct. I want to thank the individuals who have brought forth additional reports and related information, which have helped with the ongoing investigation.
The university is prohibited from disclosing and discussing information about ongoing investigations and individual students based on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal privacy law protecting student education records. The potential and implicated Student Code of Conduct charges we are pursuing include harassment, engaging in threats, and interfering with the rights of others, which carry consequences that may lead to suspension or expulsion from the university.
In addition, William Bejerano, an individual who is not affiliated with FIU but participated in the group chat, has been trespassed from campus by the FIU Police Department and is subject to arrest without further warning should he come onto any FIU property.
Over the past week, several members of FIU’s administration and I have met with student leaders from across various student organizations to better understand and address their concerns."
Some groups like the College Republicans and the local TPUSA chapter, are being accused by some of harboring the hate that was posted in the chat, which has received widespread and bipartisan condemnation."
The source also asserted that all options appear to be on the table for the university, including potential suspensions and expulsions.
