Dolton Politician's Cancer Charity Funded by Taxpayers

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Months of silence surrounding the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation have finally been pierced by a response to the Illinois Attorney General’s call for records. However, this response arrived incomplete, lacking vital information regarding the organization's financial transactions, leaving gaping holes in its transparency.

This development comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding Dolton Mayor and Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard, who has attempted to distance herself from her eponymous charity amidst mounting questions about its spending, leadership, and transparency.

In a filing with the Illinois Attorney General, a representative of the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation claimed that the organization had only raised $13,000 in its initial months. However, investigations by WGN have revealed a murkier reality. The Thornton Township board, under Henyard's control, transferred $10,000 to the foundation shortly after its inception. Additionally, township credit cards were charged $10,248 for hotel expenses during a charity walk from Dolton to Springfield in 2022. Shockingly, records indicate that individuals on Henyard's government payroll received taxpayer-funded stipends for their participation in this event.

Despite these financial dealings, the foundation has failed to submit essential tax documents, including a Form 990, which details revenue, expenditures, and income. This failure to comply with legal requirements has raised significant concerns among experts, including Kelly Richmond Pope, an accounting professor at DePaul University. Pope warns that such non-compliance often suggests an intent to conceal pertinent information.

In the face of mounting allegations, Henyard has attempted to disassociate herself from the foundation, claiming in an interview with Roland Martin that she has no involvement with its operations or fundraising efforts. However, her own words and actions tell a different story. Henyard has frequently touted the foundation in government meetings and social media platforms, even featuring prominently in promotional videos.

Notably, key figures within Henyard's administrations have been closely linked to the foundation. Keith Freeman, her top aide in both Dolton and Thornton Township, served as the foundation's registered agent, while other government employees held positions within its leadership. Despite these glaring conflicts of interest, neither Henyard nor her representatives have addressed these concerns.

The Illinois Attorney General has intervened, ordering the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation to halt solicitation efforts and provide essential records by March 28. Meanwhile, Dolton trustees, in a bold move, have demanded access to the village's financial records, signaling growing dissent within the local government.

As investigations continue to unravel the web of financial entanglements surrounding Henyard and her charity, it becomes increasingly clear that transparency and accountability are sorely lacking. The taxpayers of Dolton and Thornton Township deserve answers, and it is imperative that their elected officials uphold the trust placed in them.