Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly finds himself subject to a light censure by the Arkansas Ethics Commission because of a gift he made to police officers in his hometown last season, according to Arkansas media outlets.
Jones treated North Little Rock officers and their families to a Cowboys game, also providing airfare and hotel rooms when they made the trips over the latter part of the 2016 season. The effort was valued at more than $300,000. But a complaint was filed that alleged it violated the law on gifts for public servants.
The Arkansas Ethics Commission agreed Friday that an unintentional violation was committed. Jones made a personal appearance to defend his gift, reportedly saying that he didn't view the gifts as a reward for police work but to send a positive message of the work police volunteer to do when they're not on duty. Jones reportedly felt so strongly about it that he refused to accept a settlement in the matter.
The commission, according to THV11, the CBS affiliate in Little Rock, concluded that Jones' gift was made to "show appreciation to North Little Rock Police Officers for their work and outreach programs for children" and that officers relied upon a faulty premise that the gifts were acceptable. The North Little Rock City Council had passed a resolution to declare the gifts as official compensation.
All of this will result in Jones receiving a letter of warning for a first offense.
