An Illinois town has been plunged into millions of dollars in debt because of its mayor’s outrageous credit card spending, an investigation has revealed.
Dolton’s self-proclaimed “super mayor” Tiffany Henyard is said to have racked up exorbitant spending, including $40,000 spent on Amazon in a single day.
The spending came to light in an investigation by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who was hired by concerned Dolton trustees to look into allegations of misuse of public funds.
The report found a $3.6 million deficit in the city’s budget that arose during Henyard’s tenure.
Just one year after taking office in April 2022, Dolton had a budget surplus of $5.6 million.
Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is said to have racked up exorbitant bills, including $40,000 spent on Amazon in a single day.
“The town has not been able to pay all of its monthly expenses from the cash balance on hand,” Lightfoot said at a special meeting Thursday. Chicago Sun Times newspaper information.
These expenses included $7,700 spent at Target, Walgreens, Wayfair and other retailers on September 1, 2023.
Lightfoot did not identify Henyard as the person who conducted the transactions and said her officials rarely provided receipts for purchases.
Other troubling revelations center on police overwork, which saw two officers double their 2024 salaries by collecting six figures in overtime each, Lightfoot said.
Deputy Chief Lewis Lacey was fired from the force last week and now faces nine fraud charges.
Prosecutors say Lacey, 61, hid her true income to better position herself in multiple bankruptcy lawsuits.
![An Illinois town was plunged into debt by a reckless mayor after her outrageous credit card spending was revealed 7 An investigation by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot uncovered rampant spending and concerns about exorbitant police overtime.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1723653592_94_An-Illinois-town-was-plunged-into-debt-by-a-reckless.jpg.webp)
An investigation by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot uncovered rampant spending and concerns about exorbitant police overtime.
![An Illinois town was plunged into debt by a reckless mayor after her outrageous credit card spending was revealed 9 Henyard was not present at the special meeting called Thursday to discuss the report's preliminary findings.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1723653592_594_An-Illinois-town-was-plunged-into-debt-by-a-reckless.jpg.webp)
Henyard was not present at the special meeting called Thursday to discuss the report’s preliminary findings.
He was paid $96,000 in overtime last fiscal year, CBS information.
Earlier this month, Henyard was banned from using Dolton village credit cards after the Illinois village board took action against him.
Trustees said they will only allow the Director of Administrative Services to use the village credit card for “board-approved purchases.”
Henyard has clung to power despite criticism over his handling of Dolton and his alleged wasteful spending.
The mayor, who earns $300,000 for her public duties, has spent thousands more on first-class travel, a professional hair and makeup team and a security detail.
![An Illinois town was plunged into debt by a reckless mayor after her outrageous credit card spending was revealed 11 His lavish lifestyle has drawn the ire of villagers as well as an FBI investigation.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1723653593_909_An-Illinois-town-was-plunged-into-debt-by-a-reckless.jpg.webp)
His lavish lifestyle has drawn the ire of villagers as well as an FBI investigation.
His lavish lifestyle has drawn the ire of villagers and an FBI investigation.
Citations were issued in both areas Henyard manages: Dolton and Thornton Township.
The legal documents name the mayor, her charity, her boyfriend and several of her allies, among others.
Henyard has also been the target of lawsuits, including one from a former employee who claims he was fired after refusing to participate in one of his schemes.
The mayor was not present at the special meeting called on Thursday to discuss the report’s preliminary findings. DailyMail.com has contacted Henyard for comment.