A mob of outraged Illinois residents on Monday demanded the resignation of self-styled “Super Mayor” Tiffany Henyard as the “dictator of Dalton” grappling with multiple scandals of sexual assault and financial embezzlement.
The village of Dalton’s monthly board meeting descended into chaos, with 100 people swarming and banging on the door and four board members leaving while dozens of others testified against Henyard.
“You know what you’re doing. You’re violating our rights and that’s unfortunate.” One of the residents testified.
“What you’ve done to this village is a disgrace…I’ve been told you’re the worst mayor in America. I agree.”
Another added: You don’t care about anyone but yourself. ”
The board was scheduled to address Henyard’s veto of an investigation into her alleged misuse of taxpayer money for luxury travel and her own $1 million police tip. The board had promised to overturn the decision at Monday’s meeting.
Last month, she vetoed a resolution passed unanimously by the four-member village board to begin an investigation that would have turned over the village’s financial records and asked the FBI to conduct its own investigation.
However, the meeting never moved beyond the speeches portion of the agenda after police emptied the room over what they claimed was a credible threat.
The four trustees who voted in favor of investigating Henyard walked out in protest, saying the measure violated voters’ right to participate in meetings, but Henyard said the decision was “disruptive.” ”, he criticized, saying that it would only increase the number of people.
“Our job is to deal with business and not let business deal with us,” Henyard said before closing.
Mr Henyard’s three-year term has been dogged by corruption allegations, with Mr Dalton owed more than $427,000 for road paving and another $400,000 for tree-trimming services, while Mr Henyard owed $2 million. Corruption allegations have intensified in recent weeks after the government admitted to a deficit.
The board accused her of fudging estimates by the millions and using village money to hide personal expenses.
“Why not be transparent about what’s happening with our tax dollars?” one constituent asked during the meeting.
Henyard also faces charges of sexual harassment and retaliation by a former employee who accused the mayor of firing her after she claimed she was sexually assaulted during a business trip in Las Vegas last year.
“You know what happened in Vegas? You know what happened. And we should address it,” one resident said at the rally.
Last month, the mayor denied all accusations of wrongdoing, insisting the allegations were nothing more than a smear campaign to oust female politicians.
One vocal community member who initially supported Henyard told the Post in February:
“When she took office, she shut everyone out and went in the opposite direction. She became a tyrant and a dictator,” said Sherry Britton, 55.
The Village of Dalton did not immediately respond to the Post’s request for comment.
