Dolton mayor Tiffany Henyard found in contempt of court after allegedly stonewalling liquor licenses
Illinois self-proclaimed ‘Super Mayor’ faces legal jeopardy.
Tiffany Henyard has been found in contempt after months of allegedly refusing to grant liquor licenses.
Owners of St. Patrick’s on Lincoln Avenue, a three story restaurant and banquet room, filed a lawsuit in August, alleging that the mayor had promised repeatedly to sign liquor licenses which were approved by the village’s board of trustees but failed to do so.
Henyard reportedly promised again in court that she would sign the licenses before the deadline of 5 p.m. on Thursday.
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WGN-TV reported that the parties were forced to return again to court on Friday. Henyard was a half-hour late to the hearing.
Henyard was found in indirect criminal contempt by Cook County Judge Cecilia Horan. Adrian Vuckovich told WMAQ-TV that the mayor had “disrespect” for the authority of the Court.
It’s been quite a challenge, to say the least. It shouldn’t have been so hard. Vuckovich said separately to WGN that this is a normal event for liquor licenses.
The judge reportedly stated that “the mayor was asked by the judge, “Will you sign the licenses?” and instead of signing or responding directly to the judge, she started talking in circles. That’s when the court made a determination of indirect criminal contempt,” Vuckovich said. He added, “It is serious.” This is not something anyone would want to experience, especially as a public official.
Henyard wasn’t taken into custody but under threat of being held again in contempt, she signed the two liquor licenses that allowed St. Patrick’s to finally open.
Tiffany Kamara told WMAQ that the St. Patrick’s owner should have finished this in November.
Vuckovich stated that his client will pursue the third license as well as other consequences for the Mayor over the holdup. “We want to fine her. We want her attorney’s fees and damages. “She has hurt my clients,” the lawyer reportedly said. We waste money every single day…taxpayer’s money. It’s a beautiful building that could be used by people, not to mention creating jobs.
Max Solomon, Henyard’s lawyer, is said to have tried to justify the delays.
It is important that people understand that documents signed today contained another entity. Solomon told WMAQ that this was the problem. It was just that.
Fox News Digital contacted Henyard for a comment, but didn’t hear back immediately.
FOX 32 Chicago reported that former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot has completed her investigation and will release her findings on Monday night.
Henyard faces allegations that include she misused tax dollars, spent too much on village credit cards, and fired an employee claiming to have been sexually abused by a village trustee while on a Las Vegas work trip.
Henyard is also being investigated by the FBI for alleged corruption at Dolton and Thornton Township where she serves as supervisor, but last month lost her Democratic nomination in order to keep that position.
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