Investigation Reveals Mayor Henyard’s Spending Habits
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concluded her investigation into possible financial mismanagement by Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard at a meeting held on Monday night at the Dolton Park District. The former mayor expressed her hope that the village of Dolton would regain transparency and good governance in the wake of the investigation’s findings.
The meeting drew a crowd of eager residents anxious to learn the outcome, with Minister Deborah White, a Dolton resident, expressing relief that the truth was finally revealed. Another resident, Valerie Williams, shared her shock at the situation and the lack of government intervention.
Utilizing witness testimony, emails, and various documents, Lightfoot conducted the investigation without subpoena power, facing challenges along the way but ultimately accomplishing her task. Mayor Henyard was notably absent from the meeting, where Lightfoot presented her key findings.
Credit card expenditures were highlighted as unauthorized, with no accompanying receipts, and over $170,000 spent on travel-related costs from 2021 to June 2024. Additionally, $51,000 was allocated to area restaurants, with more than $218,000 in Amazon purchases made using village credit cards during the same period. Notably, one of the largest expenses was nearly $50,000 for supplies for the village’s skating rink.
The investigation also revealed 48 lawsuits filed against the village, including 12 for alleged Freedom of Information Act violations. Lightfoot addressed the Las Vegas trips taken by Mayor Henyard, stating that they did not yield any business opportunities for the village, and the mayor’s ex-assistant, who alleged assault by a trustee during a trip, did not cooperate with the investigation.
Regarding the federal investigation, Lightfoot expressed skepticism about any developments before the upcoming election, but she remained confident in the investigation’s integrity. She also provided recommendations to trustees concerning finance and personnel, which have begun implementation.
To address lingering questions, Lightfoot announced the establishment of a website for further information. NBC Chicago reached out to Henyard’s attorney for comment, but no response had been received as of late Monday. The new administration’s impact on the federal investigation remains uncertain, but Lightfoot remains focused on ensuring accountability and transparency in Dolton’s governance.
