Knoxville — An ethics complaint filed Monday alleges Knox County Commissioner Brad Anders accepted benefits during several past invitational golf games that exceed what's allowed under county policies.
Bruce Williams of Powell submitted the complaint to the Knox County Ethics Committee.
The Knox County Law Director's Office is investigating. Depending on their findings, the complaint could advance to the committee for its review.
The document cites at least one golf round that dates to 2010. At that time, officials were barred from accepting gratuities above $35; the amount now is $50.
Anders, who is running this spring in the Republican primary for Knox County mayor, said in a statement Tuesday the complaint was "politically motivated."
"This 'complaint' references three golf tournaments I played in," Anders' statement reads. "For the two tournaments at Three Ridges, I made a contribution to cover the cost of my participation. Participants in the tournament at Egwani Farms received a gift bag that contained a water bottle, a sleeve of golf balls, and some crackers, well within the $35 limit. "
Williams' complaint comes as the Ethics Committee gets ready to review a separate complaint Friday morning filed by Richard "Bo" Bennett against County Commissioners Charles Busler and Bob Thomas. Bennett has raised questions about the benefits Busler, seeking re-election, and Thomas, who also is running for Knox County mayor, got for playing a free round of golf in August during the Knoxville Open at Fox Den Country Club.
Williams' complaint includes information developed last fall and early this winter by an investigator for Law Director Bud Armstrong while looking into Bennett's allegations. Investigator Terry Moran interviewed John Mills, a former Knox County commissioner who also does outreach work on behalf of Priority Ambulance, documents show.
Priority had two spots to fill last August on a four-man team during the Knoxville Open pro-am day. Mills ended up inviting Busler and Thomas, who reluctantly agreed to play, according to an investigative report. Priority was given the chance to front a four-man team because it was providing free ambulance services during the tournament week.
In the course of Moran's investigation, Mills mentioned that Anders had previously played on several Rural/Metro ambulance teams while a county commissioner. One 2010 tournament was held at Egwani Farms in Rockford, Tenn., to benefit the re-election campaign of U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. of Knoxville.
According to Mills, Rural/Metro comped Anders' fee to play so he ended up paying nothing to play. At the time, Mills worked for Rural/Metro, according to the investigation, and that's why he could recall what happened.
According to Mills, sponsors of the Egwani tournament bought blue blazers to give to the golfers.
"Congressman Duncan personally presented all the golfers, including Anders, with their blazer," the investigation summary states.
During Moran's investigation, he also spoke with Anders about Mills' statements.
"Anders confirmed that he did play on the Rural/Metro team in the 2010 Egwani Golf Tournament fundraiser for Congress John Duncan," the report states. "Anders said he does not recall receiving a blazer or any gifts or vouchers."
Anders told Moran that in addition to the value of what he got being under $35, he also did nothing that constituted a conflict of interest.
While Rural/Metro had the county ambulance contract at the time, "no votes were scheduled regarding the ambulance service."
Anders addressed the blazer in his statement Tuesday.
"The blazers referenced in the complaint are apparently a reference to blazers that were given to the winners of the tournament. This is the first time in history that I’ve ever been accused of winning a golf tournament. Like every other tournament I’ve ever played in, I did not win this one."
A Knoxville Police Department lieutenant, Anders said he looks forward the Law Director's Office moving quickly to address Williams' complaint "so that the ethics committee can dispose of it promptly.“
Early voting starts Wednesday in the primary. Election Day is May 1.