Dolton Mayor Henyard Faces Criticism Over Alleged Misuse of Taxpayer Funds
Date: 2024-08-19 Author: Kirill Zagoruyko Categories: PEOPLE
Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is at the center of a scandal over allegations of misuse of taxpayer funds. Specifically, she is accused of failing to file financial statements and making questionable expenses, including a trip to Las Vegas and other lavish spending.
The Illinois State Comptroller has withheld $135,000 that was supposed to go to Dolton in response to the allegations. According to local media, Comptroller Susana Mendoza said the amount will be withheld until the mayor provides all necessary documentation in accordance with state law.
Henyard is suspected of using public money to pay for online and retail purchases, pay for private security, and finance a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. According to media reports, the mayor was accompanied on this trip last year by about a dozen people, and expenses included hotel accommodations and meals.
According to state law, Henyard was required to provide a financial audit and a report on the municipality's income and expenses. However, according to Mendoza, these documents have not been provided since 2021. Mendoza noted that her office is ready to help Illinois municipalities that are having difficulty filing annual reports, but Henyard deliberately refuses to fulfill her duties.
Interestingly, despite criticism, the mayor receives about $ 300 thousand per year. However, Henyard recently proposed reducing her salary to $ 25 thousand, which, according to her opponents, is an attempt to make the mayor's position less attractive to competitors.
Mendoza stressed that she is ready to use all methods available to the law to protect the interests of Dolton residents. "If Mayor Henyard continues to ignore state laws, my office will take all necessary measures to protect the rights of the citizens of Dolton," she said.
According to an investigation conducted by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, when Henyard took office, Dolton's budget had a surplus of $5.6 million. However, several years later, under her leadership, the budget was in a deficit of $3.6 million.
In addition, Henyard is suspected of spending almost $8,000 on purchases at stores such as Wayfair, Target, and Walgreens using a municipal credit card. It is also reported that she purchased goods worth $40,000 through Amazon in one day. In total, she is suspected of embezzling more than a million dollars in taxpayer funds for her personal needs and the needs of her entourage.
The Illinois State Comptroller has withheld $135,000 that was supposed to go to Dolton in response to the allegations. According to local media, Comptroller Susana Mendoza said the amount will be withheld until the mayor provides all necessary documentation in accordance with state law.
Henyard is suspected of using public money to pay for online and retail purchases, pay for private security, and finance a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. According to media reports, the mayor was accompanied on this trip last year by about a dozen people, and expenses included hotel accommodations and meals.
According to state law, Henyard was required to provide a financial audit and a report on the municipality's income and expenses. However, according to Mendoza, these documents have not been provided since 2021. Mendoza noted that her office is ready to help Illinois municipalities that are having difficulty filing annual reports, but Henyard deliberately refuses to fulfill her duties.
Interestingly, despite criticism, the mayor receives about $ 300 thousand per year. However, Henyard recently proposed reducing her salary to $ 25 thousand, which, according to her opponents, is an attempt to make the mayor's position less attractive to competitors.
Mendoza stressed that she is ready to use all methods available to the law to protect the interests of Dolton residents. "If Mayor Henyard continues to ignore state laws, my office will take all necessary measures to protect the rights of the citizens of Dolton," she said.
According to an investigation conducted by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, when Henyard took office, Dolton's budget had a surplus of $5.6 million. However, several years later, under her leadership, the budget was in a deficit of $3.6 million.
In addition, Henyard is suspected of spending almost $8,000 on purchases at stores such as Wayfair, Target, and Walgreens using a municipal credit card. It is also reported that she purchased goods worth $40,000 through Amazon in one day. In total, she is suspected of embezzling more than a million dollars in taxpayer funds for her personal needs and the needs of her entourage.
