Ethics board dismisses complaint by businessman against Council member Joy Kimbrough after daylong hearing

The Board of Ethical Conduct voted 4–0 on Oct. 1 to dismiss an ethics complaint filed by businessman Ryan Moses against Metro Council member Joy Kimbrough, concluding that the evidence presented at a contested daylong hearing did not meet the board—s standard to sustain the charges.

Moses, chief executive of Best Brands Inc., alleged that Kimbrough solicited or demanded a $500,000 community contribution she would control in return for support of a proposed redevelopment and rezoning near Ashland City Highway and Briley Parkway. Moses testified that a short telephone conversation in April led him to believe Kimbrough requested the money; his counsel said testimony from witnesses and contemporaneous text messages and emails corroborated that view. Moses—s counsel asked the board to find that the council member—s conduct violated Metro—s standards of conduct prohibiting improper use of official position and disclosure of confidential information.

Kimbrough denied the allegations under oath. She described a long series of neighborhood meetings dating back to 2023 and repeated rejections by the planning…