Mayor Tiffany Henyard of Dolton, Illinois, is under investigation for alleged misuse of funds, weaponizing police in business raids, and extravagant spending.
The FBI and Dolton Trustees are looking into her conduct, including claims of misusing taxpayer money for personal benefit.
Bar employees claimed “it’s part of an ongoing campaign of harassment by Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard” and that “Their business licenses have been stripped by Dolton, but they’ve continued to operate with a state license.”
“I’m sure that they were asked to donate [to Henyard], make a donation, and most likely they didn’t make a donation. So you don’t get a chance to stay open if you don’t pay the queen’s ransom,” Dolton Trustee Tammie Brown said.
Henyard’s lavish spending, use of town funds, and controversial behavior, such as music videos featuring city workers, have drawn criticism.
Accusations of harassment towards businesses and using police as personal security have further fueled the controversy.
“I think that she spends the money on security because she just loves it. She likes the thought of being surrounded by police officers. I think it makes her feel more important,” Dolton Trustee Brittney Norwood said.
“The police are simply working under her instructions, but it’s also sad. It’s sad because we need the police patrolling the streets, and they’re with her instead.”
Henyard’s charity is under scrutiny by the Illinois Attorney General’s office.
Henyard’s confrontational approach with trustees and allegations of financial misconduct have led to legal challenges and public outcry.
“You all forget I’m the leader. They want to hear from the mayor. You all ain’t learned that yet. The mayor, not the trustees that don’t do nothing. They only run their mouth. You all don’t do no work, no work!” Henyard said to officials at a meeting.
“Y’all got false narratives out there, and y’all should be ashamed of y’all selves. Y’all Black. Y’all are Black! And y’all sitting up here beating and attacking on a Black woman that’s in power. Y’all should be ashamed of y’all selves,” she later added.
“I feel as if I’m in a dictatorship,” Norwood said.
“The way she talks [to the trustees] I sometimes feel as if I’m in a mentally abusive relationship… I’ve learned to expect her to be disrespectful. She’s like a bully,” she said.
“The Defendant’s actions as alleged constitute a fraud upon the residents and taxpayers of the Village,” the lawsuit states.
