FBI finally probing ‘super mayor’ Tiffany Henyard — who is accused of corruption — as Illinois AG shuts her charity: sources
The FBI is probing self-described “super mayor” Tiffany Henyard over mounting accusations of misconduct and misuse of office — as the Illinois attorney general shut down her charity Tuesday, The Post has learned.
The eccentric mayor — whose face is plastered across billboards in tiny Dolton, Ill. — is accused of spending taxpayer money on lavish and unnecessary trips and forking over $1 million for a police detail, then using its members to retaliate against her perceived enemies.
Lawrence Gardner, 57, said he visited an FBI office after Henyard shuttered his trucking business because he refused to renew a $3,500 political contribution.
“The FBI came out and went to talk to me and I gave them all the paperwork that I had,”
Gardner told The Post.
“They took photocopies … their division is public corruption.”
The business owner said he made an initial donation to Henyard, but she demanded more.
“I made the payment,” he said. “Then every year, she started coming and required the same thing, and we had a problem about that.”
When he refused to give her campaign more money, officials claimed he was illegally selling alcohol out of his business and pulled his license, according to Gardner, who said the allegations against him were false.
The FBI told Gardner it received scores of complaints against Henyard “but they were just starting an investigation,” he recalled.
“She said, ‘We are going to get her,'” he said, referring to an FBI agent. “‘It just takes time. We have to make sure we have all our i’s dotted and t’s crossed.'”
The FBI investigation, first reported by Fox 32, is also using electronic surveillance, the station reported.
Sherry Britton, a vocal Dolton resident, said the FBI paid her a visit last week, but she is remaining tight-lipped on the agency’s advice.
“I want to see her stopped,” Britton told The Post Wednesday. “This has to come to an end. This has to stop, it’s ridiculous.”
A spokesperson for Henyard told The Post local officials are unaware of any investigation: “Mayor Tiffany Henyard and the Village of Dolton have not received any subpoenas and have not been contacted by the FBI or any other law enforcement agency.”
Meanwhile, Henyard’s charity “Tiffany Henyard Cares” was ordered to stop seeking contributions, Fox 32 reported.
The charity did not register with the Attorney General’s Office or detail how much money it has raised, according to the station.
An investigation by Fox 32 uncovered Henyard using a $10,000 Thornton Township donation for the charity.
It also reported on her using taxpayer money and public employees to support the troubled charity.
Dolton, a small village of about 20,000 residents, is swimming in around $5 million of red ink.
Locals welcomed the FBI investigation and looked forward to what the feds will uncover.
“I want to be there so I can see her get handcuffed,” Gardner said.
“I want to be there.”
The FBI declined to comment, citing “Department of Justice policy” that prevents it from discussing any active investigations.
An email seeking comment from Henyard’s staff was not immediately returned to The Post Wednesday.
