Mark Eatherly, the former deputy executive director of the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission, was indicted on Tuesday for allegedly funneling more than $60,000 in taxpayer money to himself, as well as unlawfully exceeding his authority by directing nearly $200,000 to support the Save the Morris initiative aimed at preserving a historic building in downtown Nashville.
According to a press release from the Tennessee Comptroller, Jason Mumpower, the former Nashville employee, was indicted by a Davidson County Grand Jury after allegedly misappropriating $62,463.48 for his own personal benefit by directing taxpayer funds to organizations he controlled and submitting “ineligible reimbursement claims.”
“This case demonstrates the importance of oversight, accountability, and separation of duties within government offices,” stated Mumpower. “No single employee should have unchecked control over financial decisions and approvals, especially when taxpayer dollars are at stake.”
These reimbursements from the public coffers allegedly covered “personal expenses such as cell phone and internet bills; food delivery and rideshare services; and expenses for trips across the United States and Europe,” according to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.
In addition to allegedly misappropriating more than $62,000, Eatherly is also accused of spending $196,500 in taxpayer money to support Save the Morris, which seeks to preserve the Morris Memorial Building in downtown Nashville.
According to the press release, Eatherly directed $101,500 directly to the organization before later submitting two payments totaling $162,500 to a fund held for Save the Morris by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), a nonprofit often used to raise money for progressive causes.
Despite Mumpower’s office reporting that Eatherly resigned in July, he remains listed as an employee on the Metro Nashville website.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell personally tied the city to CFMT in May, when his office announced a partnership with the nonprofit to raise money to support those impacted by the joint operation between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP).
“What’s clear today is that people who do not share our values of safety and community have the authority to cause deep community harm,” said O’Connell of the immigration enforcement that saw nearly 200 illegal immigrants detained.
The mayor said the partnership with CFMT, called the Belonging Fund, was “one way we can ensure that anyone who wants to can support people in our community so that they are met with support and solidarity, and all feel they are members of our community.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Remove Freddie, I’ve seen enough