An ethics complaint lodged recently claims a member of the Metro Board of Fair Commissioners leaked details to local media regarding a NASCAR-related agreement at Nashville’s Speedway. The member is also accused of accepting cash donations and non-cash benefits from Bristol Motor Speedway LLC.
The complaint, submitted on September 18, highlighted that Jasper Hendricks received a complimentary ticket to a NASCAR gala and disclosed information about an agreement bringing NASCAR events to the Nashville track.
In 2023, Hendricks reportedly supported a sole-source contract that allowed Bristol Motor Speedway LLC to redevelop and expand the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for NASCAR’s return. Subsequently, the company contributed to his campaign for a Metro Council position.
Although Hendricks was unsuccessful in his campaign, he was appointed as chair of the Metro Board of Fair Commissioners in September 2023. On November 30, 2023, he allegedly attended the NASCAR Awards at the Music City Center for free, as a guest of Bristol Motor Speedway LLC, according to the complaint.
The complaint further contends that a month earlier, a group of faith, labor, environmental, and neighborhood organizations encouraged the Metro Board to allow voters to decide the Speedway’s future. It’s claimed that a lobbyist for Bristol Motor Speedway LLC contacted Hendricks to devise a public response to this coalition via text messages.
Moreover, Hendricks reportedly appeared in a Nashville publication discussing the NASCAR deal just days before another local television network broadcast “exclusive details” regarding the agreement. Initially, this network displayed a one-page document summarizing the “New Deal,” which was eventually removed from their website, as noted in the complaint.
In addition, the complaint alleged that Hendricks had a relationship with the TV station due to his participation in one of their programs.
“Upon information and belief, neither the New Deal nor the New Deal Term Sheet had been previously communicated to other Fair Board members nor discussed in the public view,” the complaint reads, in part.
Hendricks “is subject to sanctions by the Board of Ethical Conduct,” including recommendation of resignation, Metro Council censure, referral to Metro Legal and/or referral to Metro’s District Attorney, the complaint added.
“The ethics allegations filed against me are baseless and rely on speculation, not facts,” Hendricks said in a statement. “I remain committed to serving Nashville with integrity, accountability, and fairness.”
