Feds subpoena Dolton, Illinois records tied to ousted ‘Super Mayor’ Tiffany Henyard’s boyfriend

A federal subpoena has been issued targeting Tiffany Henyard, the embattled former mayor of Dolton, Illinois, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into her activities during her time in office. The subpoena, signed on February 25, 2024, coincided with Henyard’s resounding defeat in the mayoral primary, where she lost by a landslide, securing only about 12% of the vote. The investigation appears to focus on a development project tied to property once owned by Henyard’s boyfriend, Kamal Woods. Authorities are demanding a wide range of documents, including emails, phone records, text messages, and code violation citations, spanning from 2014 to the present. The subpoena also specifically requests correspondence involving Woods, who has been linked to the property in question. This latest legal action is part of a broader federal probe into Henyard’s tenure as both village mayor and township supervisor, which has been marred by allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption.

Henyard’s time in office has been marked by controversy, including multiple subpoenas issued during her tumultuous term. In April 2023, one subpoena sought personnel and disciplinary files for nearly 30 individuals, while another targeted documents related to indicted village administrator Keith Freeman, who faces charges of making false statements and failing to report income in his bankruptcy petition. These legal troubles have compounded the scrutiny surrounding Henyard, whose administration has been accused of questionable financial practices. A probe led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed alarming discrepancies in Dolton’s finances, with the village’s general fund plunging from a $5.6 million surplus in 2022 to a $3.6 million deficit by 2024. This has raised red flags about unaccounted credit card expenditures and a lack of transparency in financial dealings.

The downfall of Henyard’s political career has been swift and dramatic. Once hailed as a “super mayor,” she has been dogged by scandals, including civil rights violations and multiple lawsuits alleging corruption. Her tenure came to an end on February 25, 2024, when she was ousted in the Democratic primary by trustee Jason House, who ran on a platform of restoring transparency and accountability to Dolton’s government. House, once an ally of Henyard, has been vocal about her administration’s failures, stating, “Not only is Ms. Henyard depriving the public of what they deserve, it’s costing the village money.” He has pledged to turn over every record on his first day in office, signaling a sharp break from Henyard’s secretive and embattled leadership.

One of the most infamous incidents during Henyard’s tenure occurred in January 2024, when a heated exchange at a Thornton Township Board of Trustees meeting escalated into a physical altercation. Activist Jedidiah Brown criticized Henyard for her handling of village finances and her response to Lori Lightfoot’s audit, which exposed significant financial irregularities. Brown’s comments sparked a tense confrontation, and Henyard’s boyfriend, Kamal Woods, ended up in a brawl with Brown in the back of the room. The chaos was captured on video, showing punches being thrown and security struggling to intervene. This incident, along with other controversies, has cemented Henyard’s reputation as a polarizing and troubled leader.

Henyard’s legal troubles extend beyond the federal investigation. She is also facing a federal lawsuit related to a fight that broke out during a village meeting, as well as multiple allegations of corruption and civil rights violations. Her administration has been accused of stonewalling investigations and failing to address concerns raised by residents and officials alike. The cumulative weight of these scandals has eroded trust in her leadership, both within Dolton and beyond. As the legal proceedings unfold, the people of Dolton are left grappling with the fallout of Henyard’s tenure and the challenges of rebuilding their local government.

The ousting of Tiffany Henyard and the ongoing federal investigation into her activities mark a turning point for the village of Dolton. With Jason House’s victory in the primary and his promise of transparency, there is hope for a fresh start and a return to accountable governance. However, the legacy of Henyard’s administration will likely cast a long shadow, as the village works to address the financial and reputational damage incurred during her time in office. The story of Henyard’s rise and fall serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in public service.