The village of Dolton, Illinois is considering hiring former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to investigate the scandal-ridden leader, Tiffany Henyard. Henyard has been accused of misusing taxpayer funds for lavish trips and facing sexual assault allegations. Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor, would be tasked with probing these allegations, which have come under greater scrutiny since Henyard admitted the city was millions of dollars in debt. The village board members hope that Lightfoot will provide a non-biased investigation into the allegations against Henyard.
Henyard’s scandals have also involved accusations of corruption, reckless spending, and attempts to cover up offenses. One of the most significant incidents involved a tax-funded trip to Las Vegas that led to sexual assault allegations against a trustee. The state Department of Human Rights launched a probe into these complaints, with Henyard accused of trying to silence the victim. The board members have also raised concerns about the mayor’s personal expenses paid for using village money, lack of financial transparency, and alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars and resources.
Henyard has faced mounting pressure from her constituents, board members, and the FBI to step down due to the allegations against her. The FBI is reportedly investigating her misuse of taxpayer dollars and resources, as well as accusations of holding up business licenses. Despite the scrutiny and demands for resignation, Henyard has repeatedly refused to step down. The village board is set to vote on hiring Lightfoot to conduct an investigation and provide updates on the progress of the probe.
If approved, Lightfoot’s responsibilities would include providing updates to the board and delivering a comprehensive report at the conclusion of the investigation. She would be retained for $400 per hour. Cloud, Henyard’s former chief of staff, believes that Lightfoot’s experience as a former mayor and federal prosecutor will bring a unique perspective to the investigation. Cloud hopes that Lightfoot will uncover the truth about the allegations against Henyard and provide clarity on the city’s finances and the events in Las Vegas.
Lightfoot’s tenure as mayor of Chicago was marked by surging violent crime, with record numbers of murders in the city. She became the first incumbent Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election. Lightfoot controversially blamed her electoral loss on race and gender. Despite the challenges she faced during her time as mayor, Lightfoot’s experience in public office and as a federal prosecutor may provide valuable insights in conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations against Henyard. The village board members hope that Lightfoot’s impartiality and expertise will shed light on the controversies surrounding the Dolton mayor and bring transparency to the city’s administration.
