The federal spotlight intensifies on Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard as a new wave of subpoenas sweeps through the village's administration, the third in under two weeks. According to a report from FOX 32 Chicago, this subpoena not only names Henyard directly but also seeks a comprehensive record of her financials going back to the brink of her election in 2021.
The documents requested by the FBI include everything from payouts, expense reimbursements, and credit card expenditures linked to Henyard. Keith Freeman, Henyard's top aide, is also under scrutiny. The subpoenas have extended to swiftly include several village trustees and employees known to have traveled alongside the mayor. These requests are digging into past trips to destinations such as Washington D.C., Las Vegas, and Portland Oregon, where expenditures have come into question.
Furthermore, the investigation now reaches into accusations from Dolton business owners about their licensing processes being stalled. The federal agents are probing into the dealings of 10 local bars and restaurants, with specific attention on two establishments, Rinky's Bar and Pablo's Cafe and Bar, which were targeted in raids by Dolton police earlier this year. FOX 32 Chicago spoke to George Mseeh of Pablo's Cafe, who recounted the aggressive nature of the police action saying, "There was like 10 police cars came in and they start pushing customers from here, and he said if you don't leave, we're gonna lock you up."
Dolton officials have until May 20 to provide the details requested to the federal grand jury. This latest development in the FBI's probe into Mayor Henyard's activities stems from allegations of misusing village resources, including the use of Dolton employees and vehicles for her charitable foundation's march to Springfield in 2022. Henyard declined to comment when queried about these activities. The subpoenas have been directed not only at Dolton but also at Thornton Township, which Henyard also superintends, marking a total of five subpoenas served in the past two weeks according to the FOX 32 Chicago report.
Additionally, the Chicago Tribune revealed that former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been hired by village trustees to lead an investigation into Henyard's questionable Las Vegas trip conducted last year. Trustee Jason House expressed the board's objective for an empowering investigation by stating, "Lightfoot, as part of her investigation, 'has resources that add value to the board's ability to make decisions.'"
As details continue to emerge, the ongoing scrutiny into Mayor Henyard's financial ethics promises to lay bare truths.
