By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-15 06:03:56 | Updated at 2024-11-15 08:57:46
2 hours ago
Dolton “Dictator” Mayor Tiffany Henyard called the Illinois village’s police after she spotted workers taking down welcome banners featuring her image — with her self-described “super mayor” title underneath — as the vendor claims it’s owed nearly $20,000, according to a new report.
Footage obtained by NBC 5 Chicago showed the controversial leader asking for charges to be filed against the village administrator and possibly even the workers removing the signage at the behest of the village’s dissenting trustees.
“Press charges on him, and they just in the middle of it but if I gotta press charges on them, too, because they are taking government property down,” Henyard told an officer on Sept. 23, according to the police bodycam video.
“I didn’t give that order.”
The flashy banners were given back to Henyard’s team after the acting police chief, Ronald Burge Sr., showed up.
The banners were reportedly put along a main road in Dolton over the summer, but the vendor who supplied them claimed her company hadn’t been paid.
Dawn Harmon, of Mosca Design, told the station she’s owed nearly $20,000 from the village.
“It is very frustrating. It is something we did based on her calling and taking her word and signed documents,” she said.
“We have implemented some changes to prevent this in the future.”
An attorney for Henyard reached by NBC 5 declined to comment.
Opposing Dolton trustees slammed the mayor in a statement to the local outlet.
“Mayor Henyard’s continued practice of engaging vendors without authority or board approval is deeply concerning,” they said. “This disregard for proper protocol serves only to promote her personal agenda while unfairly burdening taxpayers with the costs.”
The eccentric leader is known for having signage and posters touting herself around the area, though it led to one resident telling The Post back in February it’s the behavior of a dictator like Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Henyard has battled critics over the past year against allegations she misused taxpayer funds and mismanaged municipal business.
Earlier this year, federal agents served subpoenas in hopes of getting a trove of business records and financial reports on Dolton and nearby Thornton Township, where Henyard serves as supervisor.
She has denied wrongdoing.
The pol is serving her first term in office and announced last month she’s gearing up for reelection.
