Fair Board chair cleared on ticket and disclosure counts; board warns him for appearance of undue influence

Chair Jasper Hendricks, who leads the Metro Fair Board, was the subject of a contested ethics hearing that ended this week with mixed findings: the Board of Ethical Conduct concluded there was not sufficient evidence that Hendricks received a prohibited gift or that he disclosed confidential contract terms, but the panel found by a 4–0–1 vote that his actions created a reasonable appearance that outside interests could improperly influence his official duties.

The hearing, which the board opened as "Complaint: John Spraggins v. Fair Board Chair Jasper Hendricks," centered on three allegations: that Hendricks accepted free admission to a private NASCAR black‑tie gala valued over the board's $100 threshold; that he disclosed confidential information about a proposed racetrack development; and that his contacts with a lobbyist and public comments gave the appearance of undue influence.

The complainants, represented by attorney Rita Roberts Turner, framed the case as "about accountability," asking the board to answer four questions including whether Hendricks accepted a gala pass, whether the pass exceeded $100 in value, whether he disclosed confidential negotiation details, and whether he coordinated media messaging with prospective vendors. "This is not an effort to demonize Chair Hendricks," Turner said in opening. "This is an effort to ensure community leaders, even volunteers, uphold the integrity of their positions."

Hendricks denied the allegations. In an extended opening and sworn testimony he said the gala access stemmed from a preexisting relationship with a racing team (23XI Racing) and that he had not shared confidential terms: "This complaint is not about ethics," he told the board. He described long involvement with racing organizations, community work at the…