Candidate Recalls Press Release After Accusation Of Plagiarism
When Missouri City At-Large Position 1 council candidate Anthony Maroulis read At-Large Position 2 candidate Judith Dupre’s campaign announcement, he thought it sounded very familiar. So familiar, in fact, that many of the quotes were the exact quotes from his announcement.
By: Jamie Mock on Wed, Apr 7, 2010
Maroulis is challenging incumbent Jerry Wyatt in the May 8 election. Dupre will appear on the ballot with Kevin Tunstall, Danny Nguyen and Yolanda P. Ford. The four are running to replace longtime councilman Buddy Jimerson, who is not seeking re-election.
During each election cycle FortBendNow.com publishes one campaign announcement from each candidate. The announcements are usually submitted by the candidate. According to Maroulis, after FortBendNow.com contacted Dupre requesting her announcement, she contacted him and asked for help writing it. He sent her a copy of his announcement, meant as an example.
From Maroulis’s announcement, printed as received with no editing:
“I am extremely excited and energized about this opportunity. My Campaign is “MO ving MO. City Forward. The amount of support that I have already seen has been tremendous. My phone has not stopped ringing.” I feel like I represent our City well. I especially want to hear from the young families who are raising their families in Missouri City.” This is our future and they should be the framework to MO ving this City forward.”
From the announcement submitted by Dupre to FortBendNow.com, printed as received with no editing:
“I am extremely excited and energized about this opportunity. My Campaign is “MO ving MO. City Forward. The tremendous amount of support that I have already received has left me almost speechless. “Nothing done in the Lord’s name is in Vein.” This is what I heard in the Gospel on Easter Sunday and I truly believe I am here to serve. I feel like I represent our City well. I especially want to hear from the young families who are raising their families in Missouri City.” This is our future and they should be the framework to MO ving this City forward. I am responsive and will be the CHANGE for which everyone is looking.”
Maroulis contacted Dupre and told her he believed she was plagiarizing him and that she was using his campaign slogan. Both contacted FortBendNow.com and requested the article be removed.
“I was taken back and hurt by the accusation,” said Dupre. “I feel that most all candidates are in agreement about moving Missouri City forward. However, I have not yet gotten my candidacy off the ground floor, and do not want this charge on my record. The public will get my full support and this debate should be about the issues and not what I place on my press release.”