In Dolton, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, the office of Mayor Tiffany Henyard, known for her self-proclaimed title as “supermayor,” became the focus of an FBI operation involving the serving of federal subpoenas. This development is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds under Henyard’s administration.
The FBI’s visit to Dolton Village Hall resulted in the issuance of two specific subpoenas. The first subpoena sought extensive employment records, personnel files, and disciplinary reports for 25 municipal employees, including three police officers and Keith Freeman, the village administrator and a top aide to Mayor Henyard. Freeman, who was recently charged with bankruptcy fraud, is a central figure in the ongoing probe.
The second subpoena targeted records related to Freeman’s business dealings, specifically requesting information on all companies associated with him and their connections to the village government.
The actions come amid broader accusations against Henyard, who has faced criticism for lavish spending and mismanagement. Accusations include personal use of public funds during trips to Las Vegas and questionable practices regarding local business operations. The situation intensified when Henyard allegedly attempted to block a federal investigation into these activities, leading to further scrutiny from local and federal authorities.
The Village of Dolton’s response to these challenges includes hiring former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot as a special investigator to examine Henyard’s conduct more closely, with Lightfoot being compensated at a rate of $400 per hour for her investigative services.
These events have elicited strong reactions from the Dolton community, with local trustee Tammie Brown expressing relief at the federal intervention, highlighting the community’s long-standing concerns over governance and transparency under Henyard’s leadership.
This ongoing investigation underscores significant governance issues within Dolton and reflects broader concerns about municipal corruption and accountability in local governments.