CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The former VIP Clarksville employee who was blamed for a promotion “error” resulting in a state investigation of the Black-Tie Ball says there was no error. And documents newly obtained by Clarksville Now show that the promotion of the ball as a fundraiser extended well beyond a single Facebook post.
Funds from the gala have been in question for months, and the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office is now investigating who should receive funds and in what amounts. Promotional content tied the event to a nonprofit effort to create a Boys & Girls Club in Clarksville.
Not a mistake
Ashley Mynatt, owner of VIP Clarksville, previously told Clarksville Now that the only money raised at the ball specifically for the Boys & Girls Club was from the live and silent auctions, and even that only after expenses. She maintained that the ball was a private business event that included some fundraising for the club.
She called a Facebook post that promoted the event as a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Clarksville an “error” by an unnamed former employee.
“That was the one and only reference, anywhere, on any Facebook post. As a matter of fact, the invites that went out to the winners did not even include Boys & Girls Club anywhere on it to my knowledge. But that was one single post, and yes, that was an error,” Mynatt said previously.
However, that employee told Clarksville Now this week that it was not an error, and that Mynatt directed and approved the promotion of the Black-Tie Ball as an all-proceeds benefit event.
That promotion extended well beyond a single Facebook post.
One month before the ball, on April 13, an email was sent to at least one business soliciting sponsorship. That email, obtained by Clarksville Now, included this paragraph: “This year’s event will be May 14th at the Oak Grove Casino and all proceeds will be going to the first-ever Boys and Girls Club we are helping open here in Clarksville! Winners of Best Of will receive one free ticket and we would (sic) have the ticket purchase link in the next few days!”
That email was sent to multiple potential event sponsors, according to the employee.
Photos and screenshots of promotional materials used at the event also include “all proceeds” wording.
Promotional item for the VIP Clarksville Black-Tie Ball held on May 14, 2022. (Contributed)
A banner that was displayed at the event includes the Boys & Girls Club logo and says, “Thank you! All proceeds from tonight’s event will help open our first club here in Clarksville!”
A photograph from the event shows that the banner was displayed prominently above the stage.
Boards on display at the event were even more specific, saying “100% of the proceeds from tonight’s event are going directly to the Boys & Girls Club of Clarksville-Montgomery County.” The content was repeated in posters that were displayed at the event.
The display boards and posters make no reference to the auctions or donations, mentioning only event table sponsorships.
The employee, who asked not to be named, said Mynatt directed all of those efforts and approved the signage.
Clarksville Now also obtained a text message exchange between an employee and Mynatt discussing the display boards in which Mynatt texted, “Those are amazing!!!”
Clarksville Now has reached out to Mynatt, through her attorney, Sheri Phillips, for comment on the promotional items. Phillips declined to provide any additional information.
Hopkinsville severs ties
A Clarksville Boys & Girls Club was originally supposed to operate under the 501(c)3 of the Hopkinsville, Kentucky, club, but that agreement was terminated on June 1. Holly Bivins, president of the Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville, told Clarksville Now the agreement was terminated due to a default on payment, per the terms of the document.
Clarksville Now recently obtained a copy of that agreement, which provided more details on why Hopkinsville pulled the plug.
Hopkinsville entered into the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Clarksville on Aug. 18, 2021, and it included certain financial obligations towards Hopkinsville. According to other records, the agreement was terminated due to defaults of two specific sections. Those two sections read:
- “Secure 100% of the funds for the continued operation and staffing of the Clarksville club.”
- “For the term of this MOU, as follows: a payment of $40,000.00 to be paid by an initial payment of $10,000.00 due on or before October 1, 2021, and the remaining balance of $30,000.00 to be paid in 5 months with 5 monthly installments of $6,000.00 due on the first day of each month beginning November 1, 2021, or one lump sum payment.”
Per the agreement, Clarksville would have been responsible for 45% of Boys & Girls Club administration expenses, including the wages of the CEO, director of operations, office manager and other shared staff. The Clarksville club would have also been responsible for 100% of the local costs of operation.
Since the Clarksville club was behind on those stipulations, Hopkinsville ended the MOU.
Clarksville Now has reached out to those who have served on the Clarksville steering committee for comment.
Correction: The display boards matched posters that were displayed at the event. That content was not in a handout. The article has been updated.