The embattled Mayor of Dolton, Illinois, Tiffany Henyard, is facing mounting pressure as accusations of corruption, lavish spending, and alleged retaliation against employees continue to surface. The situation has reached a point where a former Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, has been hired as a “special investigator” to delve into Henyard’s financial conduct.
Lightfoot’s preliminary report, released earlier this month, paints a concerning picture. It reveals that Dolton’s general fund balance plummeted from $5.61 million in April 2022 to a deficit of $3.65 million by May 2024. The report also highlights Henyard’s use of the village credit card for purchases at various retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walgreens, and Wayfair. A particularly startling revelation is the $33,000 purchase made on Amazon on January 5, 2023.
These financial irregularities have spurred an ongoing FBI investigation into Henyard and her associates. Meanwhile, former employees and officials are coming forward with their own accounts of Henyard’s alleged misconduct.
Carmen Carlisle, a former assistant to Henyard and current Thornton Township trustee, has broken her silence, accusing the mayor of “unethical and predatory behavior.” Carlisle alleges that Henyard used her position to increase her influence, manipulated employees and vendors, and projected a false image of success while racking up substantial expenses on the taxpayers’ dime.
Carlisle’s accusations are further corroborated by reports from WGN, which revealed that Henyard and her entourage spent $67,000 on trips to Portland, Austin, Atlanta, and New York City over a five-month period. The group’s stay at the Four Seasons in Atlanta alone cost taxpayers over $9,300.
The controversy surrounding Henyard extends beyond her financial conduct. She has also been criticized for her involvement with the Tiffany A. Henyard Cares Foundation, a non-profit claiming to assist cancer patients. An investigation by the Illinois Answers Project and FOX 32 found that thousands of taxpayer dollars were spent on a group bicycle ride to Springfield in support of a breast cancer bill, despite the bill never being formally filed or state lawmakers not being in session.
Adding to the growing list of allegations, Henyard has been accused of an alleged sexual assault by one of her allies during a trip to Las Vegas. The alleged victim claims to have been fired after speaking out about the incident.
In February, it was reported that the FBI was investigating Henyard after receiving reports from six individuals, including business owners, a former village employee, and one or more public officials. In April, the FBI issued two federal subpoenas as part of the investigation, requesting employment records, personnel files, and disciplinary reports for 25 Dolton employees, including three police officers and Keith Freeman, the village administrator and Henyard’s top aide. Freeman has since been charged with bankruptcy fraud.
Despite the mounting evidence and calls for her resignation, Henyard has remained resolute in her position. However, her supporters are shrinking, and the pressure on her to step down is intensifying with each passing day.
