A controversial Chicago-area mayor and town supervisor recently helped organize an event that cost taxpayers more than $85,000, despite an investigation into their apparently “excessive” spending habits.
On Aug. 17, Tiffany Henyard, mayor of the village of Dolton and supervisor for neighboring Thornton Township, helped organize a town party called “A Taste of Thornton Township,” an event Henyard’s predecessor had previously hosted.
“She won't stop until she's handcuffed.”
This year's event was “hosted by Supervisor Tiffany A. Henyard and the Thornton Township Committee” and was billed as a “free concert and community celebration,” township officials said. Facebook PostBut it was never “free” for the town.
WGN investigates A Freedom of Information Act request revealed that the party cost about $85,770, including $50,000 to hire two musicians, R&B singer Kiki Wyatt and rapper J. Holiday, to perform for 30 minutes each, and another $6,600 to rent an inflatable bounce house for the children, WGN-TV reported.
Despite the high admission price, the event drew small crowds: former Dalton board member Valeria Stubbs called it a “failure” and estimated that only 60 to 70 people showed up.
Henyard, who has been called “the dictator of Dalton” and “the worst mayor in America,” apparently wasn't bothered by the low turnout or the strain on the town. “This is all for the babies,” she said, posing for a photo of herself at the event. “You don't see this side of Tiffany Henyard, which is the productivity.”
Some local residents clearly had a different view.
“I was shocked,” said Jennifer Roberts of Lansing, “and angry. It's my money. It's the people's money.”
Most of the contracts related to the town parties were signed before the board took steps to cut city spending, WGN reported.
As previously reported by The Blaze-News, Dolton's board of trustees voted last month to freeze nearly all village credit card activity. For now, only the administrative services director can use the village's credit card, and only for purchases pre-approved by the board.
Since the spring, Henyard, 41, has also been the subject of federal and local investigations.
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, has been tapped to lead a local investigation into Henyard's “excessive and unauthorized use of village funds.” Washington Examiner.
In her preliminary report released Aug. 8, Lightfoot found that Dalton currently faces a budget shortfall of more than $3.6 million, despite Henyard inheriting a budget surplus of $5.6 million when he takes office in April 2022. web Reported.
Lightfoot also documented a lavish trip to Las Vegas, more than $40,000 in shopping on Amazon and $10,000 in spending at Wayfair and Best Buy, all done with village money. “Someone is taking these amounts off my tax money and using my credit card,” Lightfoot said.
Lightfoot also noted that the state has not audited the village's books, as required by law.
The village of Dalton hired Lightfoot at $400 an hour for a total of $30,000. The federal investigation into Henyard is ongoing.
At least one Dolton resident believes Henyard, whom she calls a “narcissist,” will eventually face consequences.
“She seems to know this is the end, but she's going to fight back and scream like an MMA fighter and go down,” Shelley Britton said. “She's not going to stop until she's handcuffed.”
So far, Henyard has not been charged with any crime. Dolton Police Deputy Chief Lewis LaceyDescribed as an “ally” of Henyard Indicted A few weeks ago, he was indicted on nine federal charges, including bankruptcy fraud and perjury. innocence.
Henyard's attorney did not immediately respond to WGN's request for comment.
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