I do casually come across campaign applications that are merited and I always wonder what is so special in such applications. However, they're mostly one or two merits and they're mostly from reputable members but this particular one is beyond wonder. Five whole merits for application of a senior member is weird.

In as much as the forum doesn't regulate the giving of merit, at least, there are guidelines in issuing out merits. There's no much to discuss again since it is obvious the accounts involved are alts and some already received the appropriate tag. The handler was probably carried way because no sane person would endangered a clean account for just five merits.