Ethics Hearing for Memphis City Councilwoman Deferred
Introduction
In Memphis, an ethics hearing involving a member of the city council has been delayed. The enquiry, relating to Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas and her outside employment, was slated for discussion by the city’s Board of Ethics but rescheduled for later in the year. Both the councilwoman and the Board have prepared for the hearing with legal representation.
Details of the Complaint
The complaint was lodged against Easter-Thomas over her employment contract with the Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP). Allegations present the councilwoman’s concurrent role at the MRPP and her council position as conflicting, a violation of the City Charter’s stipulations. The argument is that Easter-Thomas’s dual roles are a breach of Article 5, Section 20 of the charter.
Easter-Thomas, displaying her due diligence, has routinely disqualified herself from council items related to MRPP. Notably in December, she removed herself from voting for the reassignment of $3 million towards the Mud Island Park. Additionally, in a more recent turn of events, Easter-Thomas abstained from the vote to reappoint Nick Walker, the Memphis Parks Director.
Position Yet to be Determined
Prior to her current predicament, former Council Chairman Martavius Jones foresaw a potential issue with Easter-Thomas’s dual roles. In May, Jones reportedly flagged Easter-Thomas’s voting involvement as undecided after she had taken up the MRPP job. After a session in April, Jones mentioned his plan to consult Allan Wade, the council lawyer, for better clarity on the issue.
Response from MRPP
In the midst of this debate, Carol Coletta, the CEO and president of MRPP, shed some light. Coletta confirmed that not only was Easter-Thomas’s appointment grant-funded, but also the program she supervises. As such, no city of Memphis public funds are being used to facilitate these roles.
Conclusion
The course of this legal venture is still developing, with the postponed hearing now scheduled for May 29. As this continues to unfold, the Memphis Board of Ethics must navigate uncharted territory, given that it’s the first instance they are conducting an inquiry of this genre. This highlights the significance of the case and the potential repercussions it may hold on the conduct of elected officials in Memphis and possibly beyond.
