Dolton, Illinois Mayor Tiffany Henyard has been found in contempt of court following a dispute over liquor licensing.
Fox News reported that Henyard was charged with indirect criminal contempt for not issuing liquor licenses as ordered by a Cook County judge. Henyard, serving both as Dolton's mayor and the village's liquor commissioner, faced legal action when she withheld approval of liquor licenses for St. Patrick’s restaurant.
Despite the village board of trustees approving the licenses, Henyard failed to sign them off, sparking a lawsuit from the restaurant in August.
The court had set a strict deadline for Henyard to sign the licenses by 5 p.m. on a Thursday, yet she failed to comply.
This led to another hearing the following day, where the mayor showed up half an hour late, as reported by WGN-TV. This disregard for the court’s schedule contributed to the contempt ruling.
Judge Cecilia Horan, overseeing the case, ruled Henyard in contempt after observing her evasive responses in court. Adrian Vuckovich, attorney for St. Patrick's, described the situation as challenging, emphasizing that obtaining liquor licenses should be a straightforward process for any business.
Under the looming threat of additional contempt charges, Mayor Henyard eventually signed two of the three requested liquor licenses.
However, the relief was partial as St. Patrick’s sought the third license and additional damages for the delay.
Tiffany Kamara, a co-owner of St. Patrick's, expressed frustration over the drawn-out process, stating that the issue should have been resolved by November of the previous year. The continued delays impacted the restaurant and banquet hall's operations and financial health.
In addition to the contempt ruling, Mayor Henyard faces scrutiny for other potential misconduct.
Allegations against her include the misuse of taxpayer dollars and irresponsible spending on village credit cards. These issues have drawn the attention of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has investigated with findings pending.
Moreover, the FBI is investigating Henyard for potential corruption activities, not just in Dolton, but also in Thornton Township. This scrutiny comes shortly after Henyard lost the Democratic nomination for Thornton Township supervisor, indicating a challenging period for her career.
Her attorney, Max Solomon, defended the delays, attributing them to discrepancies in the documents, specifically another entity being listed, which caused the holdup. Solomon’s explanation suggests administrative issues rather than intentional obstruction.
Adrian Vuckovich articulated the restaurant’s intentions to seek fines, attorney fees, and damages from Henyard as compensation for the hardships endured.
The legal battle not only strained St. Patrick’s operations but also represented a misuse of taxpayers' resources dedicated to the unresolved licensing issue.
The case highlights broader concerns about governance and public trust in Dolton, where the local economy and job market could have benefited from the restaurant's full operation.
The delay in issuing licenses has, according to Vuckovich, hurt both his client and the community at large.
As legal proceedings continue, the community watches closely. The outcomes of this case could influence public confidence in local government and potentially reshape administrative practices in issuing business licenses in Dolton.