The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source: Fox News
Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:24 PM
SPORTS: State Investigation Reveals UT Athletics Staff Accepted Trips, Entertainment From Vendors
The investigation started after the university's Department of Audit and Compliance alerted the comptroller's office of possible discrepancies.
Investigators learned the director of sports surface management violated university policy when he accepted at least two paid trips and hired out entertainment from a department vendor, who had previously been awarded an equipment lease of $763,898.
The comptroller's office told local news outlets that the director traveled to Illinois for two days of golf and participated in a golf scramble in Georgia in 2016. Officials believe the vendor provided lodging, air far, green fees and other privileges that violated UT's policy keeping employees from accepting gifts exceeding $75 in value.
Authorities also found that the director was absent from work during a two-day trip to the Masters Golf Tournament in April 2016. In this incident, investigators said he reimbursed the prospective vendor for his event pass, but failed to record his days of leave.
“The University of Tennessee may wish to consider annual or periodic employee training related to its gift acceptance policy,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “Officials should not engage in actions which might result in, or create the appearance of, private gain or preferential treatment.”
In a different 2014 incident, two current UT athletics employees went to the Masters Golf Tournament for one day as guests of a potential vendor that was actively marketing its product to the university, according to investigators.
Investigators also determined that the athletics department implemented requirements on its request for quotation to buy or lease 30 pieces of sports surface and golf facility maintenance equipment, which potentially inhibited the vendor bidding process.
