Ethics complaint accuses Fair Board chair of accepting inappropriate gift
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Nashville Fair Board chair Jasper Hendricks. Screenshot: Metro Nashville Network
Nashville Fair Board chair Jasper Hendricks is accused in an ethics complaint of accepting an inappropriate gift and failing to abide by the city's procurement rules.
- Hendricks tells Axios the complaint is "baseless."
Why it matters: The complaint, filed last week, comes amid speculation that Mayor Freddie O'Connell could soon propose a racetrack revitalization plan.
- Hendricks has been a key supporter of a possible agreement between the city and Speedway Motorsports. The future of the fairgrounds racetrack is an emotionally charged issue.
Driving the news: According to the complaint, Hendricks attended the 2023 NASCAR Awards and Celebration gala at Music City Center presumably as a guest of Speedway Motorsports.
- The complaint says the value of the ticket can't be calculated because tickets weren't sold to the public, but points out a 2024 NASCAR gala ticket cost $249.
- The complaint also alleges that Hendricks is breaking the city's procurement and ethics rules by negotiating with Speedway Motorsports on a new deal despite not being authorized by the Fair Board to do so.
State of play: Last month, Hendricks told media outlets a new deal between the city and Speedway Motorsports to revitalize the fairgrounds speedway was imminent. Fox 17 and the Nashville Banner reported a deal was close.
- In the spring of 2023, several months before the NASCAR gala, Hendricks voted to support a racetrack deal between former Mayor John Cooper and Speedway Motorsports. That proposal failed to advance at the end of the previous Metro Council term.
- The ethics complaint was filed by residents John Spragens, Sandra Moore, Erica Lanier and Betty White.
- Opponents of a possible deal say the city should consider other uses for the fairgrounds property, including affordable housing. They want voters to decide the fate of the racetrack at a referendum.
Between the lines: The complainants cast doubt about Hendricks' ability to be impartial if a new deal comes before the Fair Board.
What he's saying: "The ethics allegations filed against me are baseless and rely on speculation, not facts," Hendricks tells Axios. "My focus remains on ensuring that the Nashville Fairgrounds serves the public, respects community input, and reflects the values of our city."
What's next: The Metro Legal Department assesses whether an allegation in a complaint, if true, would constitute a violation of the city's ethics laws.
- If the answer is yes, then the department forwards it to the city's Ethics Board, which would then decide the next course of action, including possible punishments.
- Speedway Motorsports declined to comment.