Tiffany HenyardThe scandal-plagued mayor of Dolton, Illinois, has reportedly been charged with contempt of court after allegedly denying liquor licenses for months.
The owners of the three-story restaurant and banquet hall St. Patrick’s on Lincoln Avenuesued in August, alleging that the mayor repeatedly promised to sign liquor licenses, which had already been approved by the village board, but did not.
In court Wednesday, Henyard, who also serves as the village’s liquor commissioner, reportedly promised again that she would sign off on the permits, but did not before Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline.
The parties were therefore forced to return to court on Friday, and Henyard was half an hour late for the hearing, WGN-TV reported.
FELLOW DEMOCRATIC MAYOR ENDORSES TIFFANY HENYARD’S VOTER SUPPRESSION CLAIMS: ‘SPEAKS THE TRUTH’
Tiffany Henyard, the mayor of Dolton, Illinois, yelled at fellow lawmakers after questions about spending and transparency were raised. (Fox News)
Cook County Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan sentenced Henyard to an indirect felony count of contempt of court. That means the mayor was seen as “disrespecting the authority of the court,” said Adrian Vuckovich, a lawyer for the owners of St. Patrick WMAQ-TV.
“It was a challenge, to say the least. It shouldn’t be that difficult. This is a regular liquor licensing event,” Vuckovich said WGN separately.
“The judge asked the mayor: ‘Will you sign these permits?’ and instead of signing them or responding directly to the judge, she started talking in circles and so the judge made one decision on what’s called indirect criminal contempt,” Vuckovich reportedly said, adding, “That’s not something anyone wants to happen, especially if you are a public official.”
Henyard was not taken into custody, but under the threat of being fined again for contempt of court, she signed two of the three liquor licenses, meaning that St. Patrick’s can finally open for business.
Tiffany Henyard, a politician who has been embroiled in numerous controversies, was seen at another contentious meeting with her constituents. (Screencap courtesy of Fox32 Video)
SCANDAL-MORNED ILLINOIS MAYOR LOSES SUPERVISOR NOMINATION IN HISTORIC CAUCUS
“This was supposed to be finished in November,” Tiffany Kamara, one of the owners of St. Patrick’s, told WMAQ.
Vuckovich said his client is seeking a third license, as well as additional consequences for the mayor for the theft. “We want her fined. We want her to pay legal fees and we want damages. She hurt my client,” the lawyer reportedly said. “We’re throwing money away every day … taxpayer money. This is a nice building that people could use, not to mention jobs.”
Tiffany Henyard, the mayor of Dolton, Illinois, has come under fire for her excessive spending. (Fox 32)
Henyard’s lawyer, Max Solomon, reportedly tried to justify the delay.
“It’s very important that people understand that the documents signed today contained another entity. It’s a setback,” Solomon told WMAQ. – That was the only thing.
Fox News Digital reached out to Henyard and Solomon for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
Meanwhile, ex Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfootwho was hired to investigate Henyard last summer, has completed its investigation and is expected to release its findings Monday night, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
Henyard faces allegations including misusing taxpayer dollars, overspending on village credit cards and firing an employee who claimed she was sexually assaulted by a village commissioner while on a business trip to Las Vegas.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The FBI is also reportedly investigating Henyard for alleged corruption in Dolton and Thornton Township, where she currently serves as supervisor but lost the Democratic nomination to retain the role last month.
