The village of Dolton in Illinois has voted to hire former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to investigate their current mayor, Tiffany Henyard, for allegations of misusing taxpayer funds and engaging in various corrupt practices. Lightfoot, who lost her bid for reelection last year, has stated that she is honored to take on this investigation and bring transparency and accountability to the government of Dolton. She will be providing periodic updates to the board and a comprehensive report at the conclusion of her investigation, being retained at a rate of $400 per hour.
The decision to hire Lightfoot came after four members of the Dolton Board of Trustees proposed bringing her in as legislative counsel to investigate Henyard in response to a controversial trip to Las Vegas in May 2023, which was funded by taxpayer money. The board alleges that there was a lack of reporting on the trip and potential misconduct during the visit. The investigation will also look into allegations of Henyard misspending federal COVID-19 relief funds, hiring contractors without proper bids, overpaying vendors, and accepting large campaign contributions from vendors who were chosen by the mayor.
There have been additional allegations made against Henyard, including accusations of covering up sexual assault allegations made by a former Dolton employee against a board trustee while in Las Vegas. Residents and board members have expressed concerns about Henyard’s overspending, misuse of funds, and lack of transparency regarding the village’s financial records. Requests for financial documents from Henyard’s administration have been denied, leaving the board in the dark about Dolton’s current financial state.
The hiring of Lightfoot to investigate Henyard comes at a time of increasing scrutiny on the mayor’s actions and the accusations of corruption within her administration. The FBI is reportedly investigating Henyard for alleged misuse of taxpayer money, including payments for police overtime for her personal security detail and accusations of delaying licenses for certain businesses. Despite these investigations and calls for her resignation, Henyard has remained steadfast in her refusal to step down from her position as mayor. The focus will be on uncovering the truth about the allegations against her and restoring accountability and trust within the village of Dolton.
The residents of Dolton are looking to Lightfoot to bring a sense of accountability and transparency to the investigation into the allegations against Mayor Henyard. The events surrounding the Las Vegas trip and subsequent lack of information and reporting have raised concerns about the administration’s handling of taxpayer funds and potential misconduct. Lightfoot, with her background in public service and legal expertise, will be providing her findings and recommendations without bias, in an effort to ensure that the government of Dolton operates in the best interests of its residents. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the future of the village and its leadership.
