Federal Subpoena Lands on Embattled Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard Following Primary Loss
A federal subpoena has been served, targeting self-proclaimed "super mayor" Tiffany Henyard and other individuals connected to her administration in Dolton, Illinois. The subpoena signifies the intensification of a criminal investigation into Henyard’s activities during her tenure, particularly focusing on matters related to an ousted mayor. The timing of the subpoena, issued on February 25th, coinciding with Henyard’s landslide defeat in the mayoral primary, raises questions about its potential impact on the future of Dolton’s governance.
The federal request, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago, centers around a development project linked to land once allegedly owned by Henyard’s boyfriend, Kamal Woods. Authorities are seeking a comprehensive range of documents spanning from 2014 to the present. This includes citations, code violations, emails, phone calls, and text messages exchanged between property owners, tenants, and village personnel. Crucially, the subpoena also demands access to correspondence between property owners, tenants, and various Dolton village staff members, with specific mention of communications involving Kamal Woods.
This latest subpoena is not an isolated incident but rather the most recent development in an ongoing federal probe scrutinizing Henyard’s actions both as village mayor and township supervisor. The village of Dolton has faced numerous subpoenas throughout Henyard’s controversial mayoral term, painting a picture of deep-seated scrutiny and investigation.
Prior subpoenas have targeted a wide array of information. One subpoena, served in April, sought personnel and disciplinary files for nearly 30 individuals employed by the village. Another subpoena demanded all documents related to indicted village administrator Keith Freeman and several companies connected to him. Federal authorities have accused Freeman of making false statements and failing to report income during his bankruptcy proceedings, further highlighting the concerns surrounding financial transparency and ethical conduct within the Dolton government.
Henyard’s administration has been plagued by accusations of financial mismanagement, contributing to her overwhelming defeat in the mayoral primary. She secured a mere fraction of the vote, with nearly 88% of Dolton residents opting to oust her from office on February 25th. Trustee Jason House, once considered an ally of Henyard, capitalized on the public discontent, campaigning on a platform of transparency and a promise to restore accountability to Dolton’s government.
“Not only is Ms. Henyard depriving the public of what they deserve, it’s costing the village money,” House stated on Election Day, underscoring the financial implications of Henyard’s alleged mismanagement. He further pledged, “Day one, every record will be turned over,” signaling a commitment to open governance and a stark departure from the perceived secrecy of the Henyard administration.
Henyard assumed office in 2021 and has faced relentless criticism from residents due to a string of scandals and controversies. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the village hired former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot last year to conduct an independent investigation into Henyard’s handling of Dolton’s finances. Lightfoot’s probe uncovered alarming findings, revealing that the village’s general fund had plummeted from a $5.6 million surplus in 2022 to a staggering $3.6 million deficit by 2024. These findings raised serious concerns about questionable credit card purchases and a general lack of financial accountability under Henyard’s leadership.
Beyond financial concerns, Henyard has also faced accusations of civil rights violations and is currently entangled in multiple lawsuits alleging corruption. These legal challenges further compound the difficulties facing the village and raise questions about the ethical conduct of its leadership.
The turbulence of Henyard’s tenure was vividly illustrated in a viral video that surfaced in January. The video captured Henyard engaging in a physical altercation during a Thornton Township Board of Trustees meeting. The brawl erupted after activist Jedidiah Brown delivered a scathing critique of Henyard’s performance as mayor.
Brown’s remarks included accusations of ineffectiveness and a challenge to Henyard to address Lori Lightfoot’s report regarding alleged credit card abuse. "You’ve been a half-a– mayor," Brown stated, further adding, "But if you wanted to get up here and earn some respect, then you should have been able to respond to Lori Lightfoot’s report about credit cards."
Brown then launched into a controversial and racially charged statement, suggesting a vote to replace Henyard with another individual. The room quickly descended into chaos, with bystander video capturing Woods, Henyard’s boyfriend, and Brown exchanging punches in the back of the room. Other individuals joined the fray, and security personnel struggled to restore order.
The incident served as a highly visible symbol of the discord and tension that have plagued Dolton during Henyard’s administration. The incident, and the various scandals surrounding Henyard, have contributed to an environment of instability and uncertainty within the village.
The confluence of federal investigations, legal challenges, financial woes, and public controversies paints a grim picture of Henyard’s leadership in Dolton. The subpoena and ongoing investigations suggest that the scrutiny of her administration is far from over, and the future of Dolton’s government remains uncertain as authorities continue to investigate the allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The village waits to see if the new administration can address these issues and restore public trust. The outcomes of the pending investigations and lawsuits could have long-lasting repercussions for Dolton and its residents.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Woods attorney, Beau Brindley, and the village of Dolton for comment.
