An ethics complaint has been filed against Jasper Hendricks, chair of the Metro Board of Fair Commissioners and former candidate for Metro Council.
A group of former and current residents living near the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway filed the complaint on Sept. 18, in part alleging that Hendricks accepted free tickets to the 2023 NASCAR Awards gala as a part of his “otherwise cozy relationship” with Bristol Motor Speedway.
This stems from the speedway company’s years-long push to bring NASCAR racing to Nashville, an effort that has been met with opposition from some residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Hendricks has demonstrated support for the speedway in years past, having pushed back in 2024 on a charter revision that looked to replace auto racing with affordable housing at the fairgrounds.
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The complaint also claims Hendricks leaked a confidential speedway deal’s term sheet to local television station WZTV. The complainants contend the sheet contained information that had not been communicated to other Fair Board members and accuses Hendricks of reaching a deal “behind closed doors.”
It also notes that Hendricks accepted campaign contributions from Bristol Motor Speedway and a related political action committee during his failed 2023 campaign for Metro Council.
The filing includes screenshots of text messages purportedly between Hendricks and Matthew Kuhn, a consultant for Bristol Motor Speedway. The texts allegedly show Hendricks and Kuhn discussing what comments to give a news outlet.
“It is apparent from text messages that Hendricks was taking direction from [Bristol Motor Speedway] and requesting instruction from [Bristol Motor Speedway] on what public statements he should make,” the complaint reads.
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The complaint was brought forth by local attorney John Spragens, former Metro Councilmember Sandra Moore and neighborhood residents Erica Lanier and Betty White.
The Metro Board of Ethical Conduct will decide whether to move forward with the complaint in the coming weeks.
“The ethics allegations filed against me are baseless and rely on speculation, not facts," Hendricks tells Scene sister publication the Nashville Post. "I remain committed to serving Nashville with integrity, accountability, and fairness.”
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
