Tiffany Henyard, Illinois’ self-proclaimed “super mayor,” is facing renewed calls for her resignation amid a state investigation into allegations she tried to silence a subordinate who accused a trustee of sexual assault.
The state Department of Human Rights has begun investigating two complaints filed against Mayor Dalton’s office. The complaint alleges that a former assistant was sexually assaulted by a trustee during a taxpayer-funded trip to Las Vegas. According to WGNTV.
According to WGNTV, which obtained a copy of the complaint, the victim claimed she began feeling “disoriented” and “extremely dizzy” after having dinner with an unidentified trustee during a trip to Las Vegas.
She reportedly woke up the next morning in the trustee’s hotel room with no memory of how she got there and was in physical discomfort.
A separate complaint filed by Officer Byron Miles, who is part of Henyard’s $1 million security detail, alleges the trustee called and FaceTimed him on the night of the alleged assault and told him to bed the woman. He claims to have bragged about it.
“There was an implication that the employee may not have had the capacity to consent,” the complaint said, according to WGNTV.
Miles said he asked the trustees to switch to a video call so he could see the situation for himself as a law enforcement officer who had just been informed of a possible crime.
The trustee then “panned the camera to the bed. [he] A partially undressed woman could be seen, according to the complaint.
“The trustee then moved the camera to various private parts of the woman’s body and displayed it on screen, sometimes moving or removing her clothing.”
When the woman and Miles told Henyard about the incident after they returned from their trip, Henyard initially seemed “shocked”.
She said if the information was made public, the assistant would be “ruined” and all the work she had done for the village would be lost. According to NBC Chicago.
The former employee claims the mayor told her to “take care of it” and to trust her.
But just days later, the former employee said he was placed on unpaid medical leave without his consent.
When she tried to ask authorities when she could return to work, authorities refused to answer questions, WGNTV reported.
Thornton Township Trustee Christopher Gonzalez called the allegations serious at Tuesday’s board meeting.
“It’s unacceptable and disgusting,” he said, according to NBC Chicago.
“If it is true that there was an assault and a cover-up… that is unacceptable.
“If all of these things are proven and action is taken, I don’t see how she can continue as town supervisor,” he added of Henyard’s position with the town.
However, the trustees slammed the accusations in comments to WGNTV, calling them “a complete and utter fabrication.”
He claimed he was only trying to help a female colleague who he believed was drunk and on drugs.
“This is what you get for trying to help people,” he argued.
Village officials also said in a statement that an investigation into the allegations was conducted by an independent third-party firm.
They told NBC Chicago that Miles was questioned as part of the investigation but denied knowing anything about the charges and the alleged victim “refused to cooperate.”
“This is nothing more than two disgruntled employees trying to cheat taxpayers out of their hard-earned money,” the statement said.
“The village is looking forward to its defense.” [against] We will pursue these claims and any other remedies against the Village. ”
The newspaper also reached out to the Department of Human Rights and Dalton village officials for comment.
Meanwhile, the FBI is also reportedly investigating Henyard’s alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars and resources, including his huge spending on out-of-town trips, including a trip to Vegas. According to Fox 32.
Agents also investigated the hundreds of thousands of dollars the village paid in police overtime to protect Ms. Henyard, allegations that she used public and tax dollars for personal gain, and the licenses of certain businesses. They are also questioning him about the fact that he has put the matter on hold.
But Henyard last week vetoed a village resolution calling for an independent investigation into the spending, calling it the result of a personal attack on her.
“As you can see, our village, our community, and myself are under attack.” Henyard told the village board meeting.. “It’s a shame when people come to meetings and only tell one side of the story and don’t get the full story on both sides.”
Henyard claims the village board is a “boys’ club” that doesn’t want women like her to lead, and Henyard says she will “fight back” against the alleged defamation of her. I swore.
“I’m always going to fight for what’s right and I’m always going to stay on track. And when all the dust clears, I’ll be victorious,” she added.
Vocal community member Sherry Britton, 55, said she voted for Henyard but now wishes she hadn’t.
“It was a disappointing vote,” she said. “Get her in there! It was a very disappointing vote. When she got to office, she shut everyone out and went in the opposite direction. She became a tyrant and a dictator.”
