Residents in the village of Dolton, Illinois, are fed up with their mayor, who has reportedly plundered the town’s coffers for her personal benefit. But this is not your average story of political corruption. Residents have likened Mayor Tiffany Henyard to a “tyrant” and “dictator.” During at least one official meeting, Henyard dressed as drug kingpin Nino Brown from the 1991 film “New Jack City,” and had a DJ present to play Rihanna’s “B**** Better Have My Money” to emphasize points she would make. Beyond that, local business owners allege she is using allies in law enforcement to bully donors into continuing contributions. Those who refused suddenly had fabricated claims of illegal behavior lobbed at them, with business licenses revoked.
Now, according to the New York Post, Henyard may finally face some consequences.
The FBI is probing self-described “super mayor” Tiffany Henyard over mounting accusations of misconduct and misuse of office — as the Illinois Attorney General shut down her charity Tuesday, The Post has learned.
The eccentric mayor — whose face is plastered across billboards in tiny Dolton, Ill. — is accused of spending taxpayer money on lavish and unnecessary trips and forking over one million dollars on a police detail then using them to retaliate against her percieved enemies.
Lawrence Gardner, 57, said he visited an FBI office after Henyard shuttered his trucking business because he refused to renew a $3,500 political contribution.
“The FBI came out and went to talk to me and I gave them all the paperwork that I had,”
Gardner told The Post. […]The FBI told Gardner they received scores of complaints against Henyard “but they were just starting an investigation,” he recalled.
“She said we are going to get her,” he said, referring to an FBI agent. “It just takes time. We have to make sure we have all our i’s dotted and t’s crossed.”
The FBI investigation, first reported by Fox 32, is also using electronic surveillance, the station reported.
Sherry Britton, a vocal Dolton resident, said the FBI paid her a visit last week, but she is remaining tight lipped on their advice.
“I want to see her stopped,” Britton told The Post Wednesday. “This has to come to an end. This has to stop, it’s ridiculous.” (New York Post)
A spokesperson for Henyard’s office did not confirm the investigation, telling the Post: “Mayor Tiffany Henyard and the Village of Dolton have not received any subpoenas and have not been contacted by the FBI or any other law enforcement agency.”
Still, residents are anxious for justice to be served.
“I want to be there so I can see her get handcuffed,” Gardner told the Post.
