Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently disclosed preliminary findings from an investigation into the alleged egregious misuse of funds by Dolton, Illinois Mayor Tiffany Henyard, leaving residents shocked.
Lightfoot revealed that in April 2022, Dolton's general fund balance stood at $5.61 million. However, by May 2024, the balance had plummeted to a deficit of $3.65 million, putting the village in a net deficit position as of May 30 of this year.
The investigation uncovered that Mayor Henyard had used the village credit card for personal purchases at various retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walgreens, and Wayfair. One startling revelation was a $33,000 expenditure on Amazon on Jan. 5, 2023, all funded by taxpayer dollars.
Furthermore, the probe exposed gross misuse of taxpayer funds by Dolton police officers. Two officers were found to have received overtime pay exceeding their annual salaries. One officer received $114,800 in overtime pay despite a $87,295 salary, while the second officer received $102,077 in overtime pay with a $73,515 salary for fiscal year 2024.
These revelations have deeply impacted the community of Dolton, with residents expressing shock and dismay over the alleged mismanagement of public funds. The city, with a population of slightly over 20,000, is reeling from the implications of these findings.
The accusations against Mayor Henyard have garnered national attention, with critics dubbing her the 'worst mayor in America.' The situation has escalated to an ongoing FBI investigation, adding to the mounting pressure on Henyard.
Amidst these financial controversies, Henyard also faces allegations of sexual assault by an ally during a Las Vegas trip, leading to further scrutiny of her actions. Additionally, her cancer charity is under investigation, adding to the growing list of challenges she is confronting.
The City of Dolton has been approached for comment on these developments, as the community grapples with the fallout from the revelations of financial mismanagement and misconduct.
