Illinois ‘super mayor’ conducted ‘systematic’ cover-up of excessive spending, Lightfoot investigation finds

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently uncovered a troubling financial scandal in Dolton, Illinois, implicating Mayor Tiffany Henyard and her administration in a deliberate cover-up of the town’s dire financial situation. According to Lightfoot’s investigation, Henyard and other officials failed to properly track the spending of hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading to a significant mismanagement of funds.

Lightfoot, who now works as a consultant with Charles River Associates, presented her findings at a meeting on Monday night. She revealed that there was a “concerted, systematic effort” by Henyard and her administration to conceal the true financial condition of the Village of Dolton from both trustees and the public. This deception dates back to at least late 2021, when the administration began actively hiding financial discrepancies.

One alarming revelation from Lightfoot’s report is the mismanagement of $3 million in payments from the American Rescue Plan, a portion of which went missing without proper documentation or receipts. Henyard failed to appoint an official to oversee the allocation of these funds, as required by the Treasury Department. Additionally, the city’s credit card spending skyrocketed to $779,638 in 2023, with little to no tracking of expenditures.

Furthermore, the report highlighted instances where city credit cards were used to fund lavish trips to Las Vegas in both 2022 and 2023, without any tangible benefits or business development opportunities for the village. This extravagant spending only added to the financial strain on Dolton.

The financial mismanagement allegations against Henyard come on the heels of a separate legal issue involving liquor licenses. The owners of St. Patrick’s, a local restaurant and banquet hall, sued the mayor for repeatedly failing to sign approved liquor licenses, despite promises to do so. Henyard’s delays led to a contempt of court ruling, with the judge finding her in indirect criminal contempt for disrespecting the court’s authority.

The ongoing controversies surrounding Henyard’s administration have raised concerns about the village’s financial stability and governance. As investigations continue and legal battles unfold, residents of Dolton are left questioning the leadership and accountability of their elected officials.

In conclusion, the financial scandal in Dolton serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and responsible financial management in local government. As the community grapples with the fallout from these revelations, the need for ethical and competent leadership in public office has never been more apparent.