Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard and Village Trustee Andrew Holmes are entangled in controversy following a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault and subsequent retaliation. The lawsuit claims Holmes sexually assaulted a village employee during a Las Vegas trip in May 2023. The Mayor is also accused of taking action against the employee and a Dolton police officer upon her learning of the incident, according to ABC7 Chicago.
The dispute surfaced when a Dolton police officer and former member of Mayor Henyard's security detail, accompanied by the woman alleging assault by Holmes, filed a lawsuit on Monday. Holmes, known for his advocacy for victims of gun violence, hasn't faced criminal charges, however, the Las Vegas Police Department did confirm to CBS News an ongoing investigation involving his actions.
The Las Vegas incident reportedly involves Holmes describing his actions from the trip, many sexual, in a phone call that raised concerns about consent. It was during this call that Officer Byron Miles started recording, later switching to FaceTime where he observed Holmes shirtless, and the alleged victim appearing partially undressed. Also in the complaint, evidence of a conversation after the trip has Holmes admitting to having sex with the employee. Neither Holmes nor Henyard has commented publicly about the claims, with Holmes declining to comment, as per CBS News.
Further complicating the scandal, the alleged victim, after the incident sought a meeting with Mayor Henyard. During this meeting, Henyard allegedly warned of the consequences if the information were to become public. The lawsuit suggests that Henyard's concern was for her own reputation with statements like "Henyard would be ruined" if the allegations surfaced.
