Dolton, Illinois has recently been making headlines as its Democratic mayor, Tiffany Henyard, faces allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of power. Henyard, who also serves as the county supervisor for Thorton Township, has been accused of using taxpayer money to fund her personal expenses, including hiring a professional wardrobe stylist to dress her for public appearances.
According to public records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act Request (FOIA), Henyard has been paying Brandon K. Momon, owner of “Style Me Brandon” and her personal wardrobe stylist, a sum of $7,650 over the course of six transactions between April and June 2023. It is unclear what tasks Momon performed in his role as “ADMIN. ASSISTANT” for the government.
This lavish spending on personal services has raised concerns, given that the average income in Thorton Township and Dolton is significantly lower than the mayor’s salary. The mayor’s income, at nearly $300K, is more than six times the average income of residents in Thorton Township and almost 12 times the average income in Dolton.
The allegations against Henyard don’t just stop at financial misconduct. According to a former employee, Stephanie Wiedeman, who was fired by Henyard just weeks after the mayor took office, Henyard exhibits “narcissistic” behavior and uses her power to retaliate against anyone who does not support her or her actions.
In a lawsuit filed in January, Wiedeman claims that Henyard fired her because she didn’t trust her to keep quiet or to fall in line. Wiedeman also alleges that Henyard orchestrated a false arrest against her in retaliation for speaking out against the mayor.
The situation in Dolton has caught the attention of the FBI, who are currently investigating allegations of Henyard using the local police to retaliate against those who speak out against her. According to a report by FOX 32, the FBI has spoken to six individuals, including Lawrence Gardner, a local business owner who claims he was unfairly targeted by the police after refusing to donate to an event sponsored by Henyard.
Gardner, who spoke to the FBI agents, claims that they took his allegations very seriously and have promised to investigate further. His complaints, along with other residents of Dolton, highlight the growing tension in the town and the fear of retaliation from those in power.
Henyard’s spending habits and allegations of using her government position to silence dissent have raised questions about her leadership and the impact it has on the community. The former employee, Wiedeman, has spoken out about how the mayor’s actions have hurt the residents of Dolton, stating that “the community is suffering” under Henyard’s leadership.
The mayor, who has yet to respond to requests for comment on the allegations, maintains that she is innocent and is focused on serving the people of Dolton. However, the ongoing FBI investigation and the numerous allegations made against her have cast doubts on her ability to lead effectively.
As the situation in Dolton continues to unfold, residents and officials are calling for transparency and accountability from their mayor. The fallout from these allegations may have far-reaching consequences not just for Henyard and her administration, but also for the trust and confidence of the people of Dolton in their elected officials. Only time will tell how this controversy will ultimately impact the town and its future.
