I think the debate in this thread is the current moderators are abusing their power and furthermore are being paid (suspected - no proof yet I don't think) for their positions thus it's no longer a volunteering gig and now more susceptible to corruption.

I've been a forum admin and forum moderator in the past and yes there's always a risk of people going rogue or power-tripping, but that can happen with literally anyone. If it happens, it also tends to end very rapidly as the other moderators clean-up the actions of the rogue quickly. That's why you vet people based off their history and hope it works out. In my experience it's better to have a larger group of trusted moderators to maintain a balance of power then for a small group to act in an authoritarian manner; the latter of which seems to be the case here.

If there's a perception of a witch hunt then the moderator action of ultimate banishment only fuels that fire, seems counter-intuitive for people supposedly acting in good faith.

EDIT: Clarified statement on paid mods