Raz does know of all of the bans, and only certain mods CAN ban. If you think a ban was unfair, then PM Raz and tell him why.
I've known people who've been banned, one of my friends did just recently. Didn't make that big a difference because I know how to keep in contact with my friends outside of the site. And I'd never do anything to get myself banned, because I'm not that stupid.