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Reasons for the temporary expulsion of two Int. FIFe Judges
Because one-sided and untruthful information is circulating on the internet and social networks by parties involved, which transgresses the common standards with regards to discretion, privacy and polite behaviour, practiced by the Board normally in such cases, the Board feels compelled to announce the following.
The reason why the Board decided to temporarily expel Mrs. Noskova was that she completed and signed two blank (empty, no cats or numbers listed on the top) student judge certificates at the request of Mr. Kurkowski and gave these to him.
Mr. Kurkowski was in need of a number of foreign cats in order to fulfil the requirements to take his judges exam in category III. With her actions, Mrs Noskova was instrumental in helping Mr. Kurkowski to accomplish his intentions.
The reason why the Board decided to temporarily expel Mr. Kurkowski was that he entered 82 cats of all kinds of breeds, including one breed, which he needed to comply with for the exam requirements on these untruthful certificates. He had never seen this breed as a student judge, and as you know, in FIFe judges need to see all breeds so they can seriously judge these cats later.
Mr. Kurkowski wrote, in his own hand, these 82 cats of various breeds which were randomly taken from a catalogue of a show in Russia, which took place on the 14+15.03.2009. Mr. Kurkowski was never even present at this show; that very same weekend he judged at a show in Germany.
Subsequently, Mr. Kurkowski submitted these false documents together with all other required documents for his exam application in category III.
The Board has unequivocal proof of these facts and transgressions, substantiated by evidence (catalogues, proof of presence in Germany, proof of presence of another student judge instructed by Mrs. Noskova at the given dates). We also have several written statements from Mrs. Noskova and Mr. Kurkowski themselves, which they sent to the Board when they, in line with proper and due process were granted a hearing, in which the Board asked for their honest and truthful explanations.
The Board had previously asked the Polish FIFe Member, Felis Polonia, to which Mr. Kurkowski belongs, to meticulously check these certificates and in reply, FPL withdrew their recommendation for Mr. Kurkowski´s judges exam. Consequently, the Board informed the two examining judges, the FIFe Judges & Standards Commission and Mr. Kurkowski that permission for his judges exam in category III was withdrawn due to the serious doubts with the authenticity of these certificates.
The fact that in retrospect and after having been confronted with the facts, one party claims to only have wanted to “help” and that both parties claim “to be sure that Mr. Kurkowski was a student judge for Mrs. Noskova but no one can remember exactly where and when” or that “this was all a simple small human mistake” cannot be used or accepted as excuses for such an attempt at serious deceit. We need to be able to trust our Judges 100%.
Please be aware that these judges were asked for the truth, not for excuses, and in this respect Mrs. Noskova was truthful and Mr. Kurkowski changed his side of story several times, which is reflected in their punishments.
The Board of FIFe is elected by the FIFe General Assembly to uphold and protect the Statutes and Rules of FIFe for all parties involved in a decent honest and objective manner, regardless whom they concern. In line with prescribed procedures, the Board forwarded all material to the FIFe Disciplinary Commission, who carefully studied the case and gave the Board an unanimous recommendation on the essential facts, thus supporting the Board in their opinions.
The Board cannot randomly decide NOT to punish one person because he is a popular judge or because someone has ambitions in FIFe, and only punish those who will not protest or not seek the limelight. The suggestion made by some that our reasons were anything else but the consequence of carrying out the duties for which we were elected in an honest and decent way, is appalling and abject.
The Board stands by its decision and wishes to restore the faith and the reputation of our Federation, its Members and Judges, which is seriously damaged by actions such as the above.
Respectfully yours, by order of the Board,
Annette Sjödin - President
Eric Reijers - General Secretary