Ethics Inquiry Against Memphis Councilwoman Proceeds Amidst Accusations of City Charter Violation

Ethics Inquiry Against Memphis City Councilwoman Progresses

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The ethics inquiry lodged against Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas moves forward following January’s complaint accusing her of a violation of the city charter for her employment by the Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP).

City’s Support for MRPP Emerges as Crucial Concern

The Memphis Board of Ethics had the option to dismiss the complaint during Wednesday’s meeting. However, all board members agreed that a formal hearing should be carried out. The Chief Ethics Officer, Monika Johnson, recommended this decision, citing Councilwoman Easter-Thomas’s perceived direct financial benefit from her MRPP work. Johnson described the MRPP as an “entity the city supports”.

However, Easter-Thomas and her lawyer have argued that the councilwoman holds no personal interest or gain in this issue. They maintained that her salary at the MRPP is not funded by the city but by grant money.

Legal Defence Stresses Councilwoman’s Ethical Transparency

Attorney Andre Wharton informed reporters that Councilwoman Easter-Thomas has abstained from votes involving the MRPP since she took up her employment with them back in May 2023. Wharton stated, “We want to get this issue resolved so she can continue to serve without this distraction.. there are enough distractions going on. But we don’t want to be dismissive of the ethical issues.” He further reassured that the councilwoman has been transparent and candid about her affiliations.

Another complaint had been lodged against Easter-Thomas late last month as revealed to the media. In this case, it was not filed appropriately; hence the ethics board will not be able to consider it until the error is rectified.

Open Public Hearing Scheduled for April 10

The complaints against Easter-Thomas will be formally heard by the ethics board on April 10. The hearing, open to the public, is set to include a panel of ethics board members, an external attorney to prosecute, and several possible witnesses.

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