Gov. Bill Lee has reimbursed travel expenses for a trip to Florida after an Ethics Commission investigation determined the nonprofit-funded trip was an illegal gift under state law.
In July, Lee traveled to Marco Island, Florida, to speak at the annual conference of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian legal advocacy nonprofit. ADF initially covered his travel costs.
The Tennessean first reported potential ethical concerns in September, noting that ADF employs lobbyists affiliated with its 501(c)(4) arm, ADF Action.
Since the two organizations share leadership, the reimbursement of the governor’s travel expenses may have violated Tennessee ethics laws, which prohibit groups employing lobbyists from providing gifts or paying travel costs for elected officials.