South suburban politician Tiffany Henyard threw a party over the weekend that included a heavy serving of damage control.
“Let me make sure I’m crystal clear about this: I ain’t never took a goddam thing in my life,” Henyard told Facebook viewers during a livestream from the outdoor gathering.
The event was promoted as the “Friends of Tiffany A. Henyard Picnic,” which immediately set off alarm bells among her opponents, who noted that “Friends of Tiffany A. Henyard” is also the name of the embattled politician’s campaign fund.
Trustees in Dolton – where Henyard is the mayor – and in Thornton Township – where she’s the supervisor – tried to block efforts to have public money pay for the gathering. However, WGN Investigates noted food boxes from the township were given away to attendees and the event was held at a Dolton skating rink Henyard built; but a rink that critics say is rarely used.
“It’s only open when she’s there or she’s having an event,” said Dolton trustee Tammie Brown.
The skating rink was built with a projected cost of $269,000. WGN Investigates had to sue Dolton to get access to village credit card records which show $17,000 was charged at a roller skate wholesaler.
“I’m thinking that’s for the roller skates residents never got a chance to use,” Brown said.
Henyard’s attorney, Beau Brindley, tells WGN Investigates the picnic was not a campaign event and that Henyard paid for some of the food provided out of her own personal funds.
“I spent my own money to put on for my citizens – I put my money where my mouth is,” Henyard told her Facebook followers.
The food giveaway appeared to be conducted by Thornton Township workers, who handed out boxes containing turkey, yams, greens, and other items. The Greater Chicago Food Depository has previously warned the township not to use the food it provides during campaign or political events. Pantry manager Keith Price said the food boxes came from “township surpluses.”
The food depository sent reps to the township’s pantry on Tuesday to underscore the point.
“Our team did not see mixing of Food Depository products with event products,” said Jim Conwell of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “We reaffirmed our stance that food supplied by the Food Depository should not be used for political events or campaign activities.”
The FBI continues to investigate Henyard’s leadership in both the village and the township. WGN Investigates has spent the past year documenting more than $100,000 spent on luxury travel for Henyard and her allies.
Dolton trustee Andrew Holmes defends Henyard’s spending and leadership.
“If there’s anything that was criminally done, it will be out there,” Holmes said. “The children are having fun. The families are having fun and things are getting done.”
Holmes was accused of sexually assaulting a village employee on a taxpayer-funded trip to Las Vegas last year. He denies the allegation.
“I’m not going to answer any questions about any of that,” Holmes told WGN following Tuesday’s meeting. “I’ll let law enforcement [that’s] handling this case do what they have to do.”
For her part, Henyard continues to call stories about her spending and confrontational style “fake news” and “clickbait.”
“God put me here,” Henyard said from the party. “God wanted me to lead the people. God knew that I wouldn’t take no mess. He knew that I’d stand strong in the fire for you.”
Meanwhile, the dysfunction in Dolton continues as Henyard tried to appoint new staff members despite the board of trustees’ attempts to cancel the meeting.