Despite a postponement by the board of trustees, Mayor Tiffany Henyard proceeded with a board meeting on Tuesday, appointing new staff and declaring that she had cleaned up the suburban Illinois town.
In a display of defiance, Mayor Tiffany Henyard of Dolton, Illinois, defied the board of trustees' postponement of a scheduled board meeting and convened the gathering on Tuesday. The decision drew scrutiny and ignited further conflict between the mayor and the board, who have clashed for months over allegations of excessive spending and corruption.
Henyard's lawyer, Beau Brindley, argued that the postponement violated Illinois law due to a lack of proper notice. He also accused the board of interfering with Henyard's ability to perform her duties as mayor. Despite the absence of a quorum, with only two trustees present, Henyard proceeded with the meeting, attended by about 20 members of the public.
Embattled Dolton Mayor Defies Trustees, Holds Postponed Meeting
The move comes amid an ongoing feud between the mayor and the board. Henyard has vetoed the board's request for a federal investigation into her alleged misuse of funds and their appointment of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to lead a special investigation into the matter.
Lightfoot's preliminary report revealed that Dolton's general fund balance plunged from a surplus of $5.61 million in 2022 to a deficit of $3.65 million by May 2024. The report also disclosed that Henyard used the village credit card for personal purchases at various retailers, including a $33,000 Amazon expenditure on January 5, 2023.
Embattled Dolton Mayor Defies Trustees, Holds Postponed Meeting
Despite the allegations, Henyard proclaimed at the meeting that she had "cleaned up" the town. She also announced the appointment of a new village attorney and village administrator, despite an existing village administrator. However, former village trustee Valeria Stubbs asserted that these appointments were illegal due to the lack of a quorum.
The conflict over Tuesday's meeting coincided with a binding opinion from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul that Dolton repeatedly violated the Open Meetings Act this summer. Raoul found that Henyard and the village board failed to make their June 3 and July 1 meetings accessible and open to the public.
Embattled Dolton Mayor Defies Trustees, Holds Postponed Meeting
Meanwhile, an ongoing FBI investigation into Henyard's alleged financial misdeeds continues. Additionally, Lewis A. Lacey, a former deputy chief of police and an ally of Henyard, faces federal bankruptcy fraud charges for concealing assets and income.
In February, six individuals reportedly spoke to the FBI about Henyard's alleged misconduct, prompting an investigation. In April, the FBI served subpoenas seeking employment records and company ties related to Henyard's top aide, Keith Freeman, who also faces bankruptcy fraud charges.
Embattled Dolton Mayor Defies Trustees, Holds Postponed Meeting
The latest developments in Dolton underscore the ongoing turmoil between the mayor and the board of trustees, who have engaged in a series of public clashes and controversies. The legal challenges and allegations of misconduct have raised concerns about the town's financial situation and the mayor's fitness for office.
