The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released the results of an audit showing University of Tennessee Athletics Department employees accepted trips and entertainment from a vendor and a prospective vendor.
The comptroller said in a news release that the investigation started after the university’s Department of Audit and Compliance brought the possible discrepancies to the state’s attention.
The release stated investigators determined the director of sports surface management violated university policy when he accepted at least two paid trips and related entertainment from a department vendor which had previously been awarded an equipment lease worth $763,898. This violated UT’s policy prohibiting university employees from accepting entertainment or other gifts exceeding $75 in value.