Public Integrity Watch Wins on Illegal VIP Passes for City Council Members

From: Davis, N. <Nathaniel.Davis@greensboro-nc.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 2:22:29 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
To: CMO <CMO@greensboro-nc.gov>; Cubbage, Lora <Lora.Cubbage@greensboro-nc.gov>
Cc: Davis, Rosetta <Rosetta.Davis@greensboro-nc.gov>

Subject: VIP Wristbands for Folk Festival

Mayor and Members of Council

Good morning. It is my understanding that representatives from the NC Folk Festival have either disseminated VIP wristbands, or a link to request VIP wristbands to select City employees, as well as City Council members. While these passes may have been "free" in previous years, they now carry a value ranging from $100 to $325 and are open to the public for purchase. Therefore, to use them would constitute the acceptance of a gift, which is prohibited pursuant to State law and City policy.

In relevant part, NCGS 138A-32(d) states that no public servant shall knowingly accept a gift from a person whom the public servant knows or has reason to know any of the following: (1) Is doing or is seeking to do business of any kind with the public servant's employing entity, (2) Is engaged in activities that are regulated or controlled by the public servant's employing entity, or (3) Has financial interests that may be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of the public servant's official duties.

If VIP wristbands have not yet been obtained, even if requested, it is recommended that individuals simply do not pick them up. If individuals are in possession of the VIP wristbands, it is recommended that they be returned to the sender if practical or purchased at fair market value. If the wristbands cannot be returned and the individual does not wish to purchase it at fair market value, then is recommended that they be discarded.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Nathaniel “Trey” Davis

City Manager

City of Greensboro

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