Updated as of June 3, 2021 at 5:25 p.m. to include information from alumni and the Elon University Student Government Association.
Postmaster General and Elon University Board of Trustees member Louis DeJoy is facing a federal inquiry regarding campaign contributions involving his former business, North Carolina based New-Breed Logistics.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is inquiring about campaign contributions made by DeJoy’s former employees and company activities, according to the Washington Post, which first reported the inquiry.
According to data obtained from the Federal Election Commission, DeJoy himself contributed $715,600 to Donald Trump’s campaign, in addition to $406,600 to the Republican National Committee, in 2019 and 2020.
Patrick Noltemeyer, Elon University chief of staff and secretary to the Board of Trustees, said Elon University does not have a comment at this time.
DeJoy, who has been on the university’s Board of Trustees since 2007, testified in front of the House Oversight Committee in August regarding disruptions to the United States Postal Service. During his tenure, DeJoy oversaw budget cuts to the USPS, as well as the reorganization of leadership and the removal of mailboxes.
Elon University staff, faculty, students and alumni expressed concerns in the fall of 2020 regarding the 75th postmaster general, with some calling for his removal from the Board of Trustees.
Joanna Penick ‘03, who started a petition for DeJoy’s removal last fall, said she was not surprised when she saw the investigation this afternoon.
“I think it’s good,” Penick said. “If he did, or his company, or with his knowledge in fact did do what he is being accused of, that is of course standing in the way of democracy.”
The petition calling for DeJoy’s removal gained over 500 signatures in the first 24 hours.
Penick said she would like the university to remove DeJoy from the board and make a statement distancing Elon University from his actions.
“Elon will be behind the eight ball once again if they don’t do anything to distance themselves, or remove him actually from the board,” Penick said. “Which I don’t think they’ll do, but that’s on them.”
The Elon University Student Government Association passed legislation denouncing DeJoy in September. According to SGA President Jack Corby, SGA does not have a comment on the FBI investigation at this time.