Controversial letters sent to Class of '94

Cut-and-pasted pornography and a forged University document are only two parts of a drama facing the Class of 1994 and the University after several illicit mailings were sent to members of the class.

Several months ago, a letter was sent to the Class of 1994 containing pornographic representations of several of their classmates, said four members of the class.

After a second mailing — on letterhead from the University's Alumni Counsel office and purportedly signed by General Counsel Peter McDonough — the University began an investigation to determine the "origin of the letters and the extent of the mailing," University Counsel Clayton Marsh '85 said. The University may take legal action.

Several members of the Class of 1994 — in addition to inquiries by The Daily Princetonian — have suggested that one person is behind the letters. But, agreeing to a request by the University, the 'Prince' is not publishing that person's name or the names of those mentioned in the letters at this time.

Chronology

The first letter included "mug shots" of members of the Class of 1994 "that seemed to be taken from a yearbook or facebook" and pasted onto pornographic images with offensive captions, Tamar Laddy '94 said.

A second letter dated Jan. 29 was sent on Alumni Council letterhead under the guise of a memorandum from McDonough.

"At first the letter looked very official," a '94 alumnus said, "but as you read [the letter], it devolves, using nonprofessional syntax and wording and making bizarre accusations. My first impression was just 'what the hell?'"

This false letter included accusations targeted at specific members of the Class of 1994, assigning blame for the mailing of the first letter and accusing others of having homosexual affairs.

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Marsh characterized the letter as a series of "false and defamatory statements" and ensured "Peter McDonough did not write it. It is a complete fabrication."

After being informed of the forgery by recipients of the letter, Margaret Miller '80, director of the alumni association, issued a response on March 4, stating: "The University is investigating the matter on an expedited basis and is exploring appropriate legal and other actions."

"We are taking this matter seriously," Miller said. "This letter is offensive and inappropriate."

One member of the Class of 1994 was pleased with the rapid response.

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"I was glad to receive the follow-up letter and hear that the University was investigating," Laddy said. "The letters were truly shocking and very offensive."

Though Director of Communications Lauren Robinson-Brown '85 and Marsh declined to comment on the status of the investigation or the suspected author of the letters, some members of the Class of 1994 said they know who is responsible for the mailings.

Some members of the Class of '94 also said that they immediately recognized the letter as fake and disregarded its allegations.

"Obviously whoever wrote it was not thinking correctly," a '94 alum said. "Everyone assumes that none of it is true. I think everyone just wants it to stop."

Other 1994 alumni, however, were disappointed that such misappropriations were circulated on the eve of their 10th class reunion.

"It's very upsetting that someone from Princeton would do something like this," Laddy said.