Did a Former Town Council Candidate Violate Campaign Finance Law?

09/01/2020 – Trophy Club, TX

Former Trophy Club Town Council candidate and current Parks and Recreation Board Chairperson, Tiffany Nimphius, may have been caught with irregularities in her campaign finance reports from her 2019 run for council, the Trophy Club Journal has learned.

Facebook Screen Clip — Nimphius Announcement Prior to actual application

Mrs. Nimphius filed her treasurer at the same time as her candidacy application on July 23, 2019 at 9:54pm at the Town Council meeting when the Council went into Executive Session. Oddly, she falsely announced her candidacy 42 minutes prior on social media, stating “I filed the necessary paperwork to become a candidate for council.” immediately following the Town Council vote to call the election, at 9:12pm. (See image right).

Mrs. Nimphius’ premature post was likely on purpose as her supporters were quick to judge a prior candidate who filed to run against Eric Jensen. In that campaign they accused Brian Brennan of causing a $25k special election for having the audacity to file after Mr. Jensen. Clearly, Mrs. Nimphius was attempting to avoid calls of hypocrisy by filing before Karl Monger…who actually had announced his intent to run months in advance.

Tiffany Nimphius Campaign Sign on 7/24/2019.
Photo screenshot from Facebook mobile.

The following morning on July 24, 2019, Tiffany Nimphius campaign signs began popping up all over town in the yards of loyal supporters. (See image left)

According to Mrs. Nimphius’ campaign finance report filed on January 15, 2020, Nimphius did not purchase any campaign materials until July 25, 2019.

On the surface, there are irregularities with the situation. How was it possible for Mrs. Nimphius’ signs to be purchased, printed, shipped and placed in yards within approximately 12 hours? Why does her campaign finance report show a purchase date that occurs after the signs were placed?

These facts call into question the possibility that Mrs. Nimphius may have violated campaign-finance law. In the state of Texas, it is against the law to spend any money, or accept donations, for a political campaign before filing a campaign treasurer. Additionally, the evidence would suggest that Nimphius may have attempted to conceal the purchasing of campaign materials prior to the appointment of a Treasurer by altering the date of purchase on her disclosure form.

The only way to know for sure is for the town to conduct an ethics investigation and demand her campaign receipts. Given that Mrs. Nimphius still occupies a position of trust with the town, this would seem a prudent move. However, since the majority of the council is controlled by friends of Mrs. Nimphius, it is unlikely that they would order an investigation unless a citizen from the town demands it.

Nimphius’ supporters includes members of the council, the Ethics Commission and the Town Manager, who was selected by and is a friend of Eric Jensen, who is now running for Mayor. Jensen was the primary supporter of Mrs. Nimphius’ bid to be placed on the Council.

Mrs. Nimphius lost her bid for Town Council to Karl Monger after it was revealed that she had nearly $50,000 in IRS tax liens.

(Treasurer and Campaign Finance Reports below)