Tennessee ethics panel dismisses complaint against education commissioner over travel costs

The Tennessee Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint against Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds.

The ethics complaint filed by Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, in May alleges Reynolds illegally accepted travel reimbursements paid for by a group that also lobbies the legislature. Reynolds attended two out-of-state events last year with expenses paid by her former employer, ExcelinEd, a national advocacy group whose partner 501(c)(4) — which shares staff, office space, and a post office box — employs a lobbyist in Tennessee.

State law prohibits members of the executive branch from accepting gifts, including travel reimbursements, from lobbyists and their employers.

ExcelinEd employs Miranda Williams , who is registered as a lobbyist in Tennessee. Williams works for both ExcelinEd, and ExcelinEd Action, according to the group’s websites. She advocated for Gov. Bill Lee's statewide universal school voucher proposal this spring, which Reynolds as commissioner of the department also pushed the legislation.

After The Tennessean first reported the travel — and the ethics complaint was filed — Reynolds paid back about $2,000 in travel expenses and was reimbursed by the state.

Commissioners considered the complaint last week behind closed doors , ultimately voting 4 to 0 to dismiss the complaint, and not refer it to the Attorney General’s office for further investigation.

In a letter to Reynolds, her attorney, and Hemmer sent Friday, the panel noted that Reynolds’ repayment of the funds was the deciding factor for the finding.

“The Commission found that, although the need to address these matters is disappointing, ultimately, due to Commissioner Reynolds’ repayment of the expenses in question, there is insufficient probable cause and insufficient value to be gained by proceeding with this matter further,” the letter states.

Commissioners did not make any conclusion on whether Reynolds knowingly violated state law by accepting a prohibited gift, noting that her “willingness to correct the potential violation” precluded the need for further action from the body.

Commissioners instructed the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance to recommend the legislature require all members of the Governor’s Cabinet to complete the same ethics training that is already required for lawmakers.

“The Commission is convinced that the circumstances here might never have occurred had Commissioner Reynolds sought guidance from the Commission or the Commissions staff regarding [ethics laws],” the letter states.

Hemmer this week announced plans to file legislation next year to clarify state ethics laws that prohibit officials from accepting travel paid by groups that lobby the legislature.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee ethics panel dismisses complaint against education commissioner over travel costs