Dolton Mayor & Trustee Face Disturbing Sexual Harassment Allegations

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In a shocking turn of events, disturbing allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation have emerged against Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard and an unnamed village trustee. The accusations, brought forward by a former female employee who served as Mayor Henyard's assistant, shed light on a troubling incident that allegedly occurred during an economic development trip to Las Vegas.

According to reports obtained by NBC Chicago through a Freedom of Information request, the Illinois Department of Human Rights is currently investigating complaints filed against Mayor Henyard, the Village of Dolton, and Thornton Township. These complaints detail instances of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

The former assistant alleges that she faced retaliation, sexual harassment, and discrimination after raising concerns about a non-consensual sexual encounter between herself and an unnamed village trustee during the Las Vegas trip. Additionally, a Dolton police officer filed a separate complaint with the Department of Human Rights, claiming he too experienced retaliatory actions for coming forward with information about the incident.

The incident in question allegedly transpired after a dinner between the former assistant and the trustee, during which she reported feeling disoriented and light-headed before blacking out. She claims to have woken up the next morning in the trustee's hotel room with no recollection of how she got there, experiencing physical discomfort.

Upon returning to Dolton, the former assistant was informed by Officer Byron Miles, who was part of Mayor Henyard’s security detail on the trip, that the trustee had allegedly engaged in unprotected sex with her while she was incapacitated. Subsequently, both the former assistant and Officer Miles reported their concerns to Mayor Henyard.

A crucial detail revealed in the complaints is Mayor Henyard's alleged response to the situation. According to the former assistant's complaint, Mayor Henyard expressed concerns that if the information became public, it would ruin her and jeopardize her accomplishments. She assured the former assistant that she would handle the situation.

However, days later, the former assistant found herself placed on unpaid medical leave, followed by termination. Officer Miles also alleges facing retaliation, including demotion to patrol duty, for his role as a witness.

In response to these allegations, the Village of Dolton conducted an investigation led by an independent third-party company. The village denies the allegations, stating that Officer Miles denied knowledge of the incident during the investigation. Furthermore, they claim that despite attempts to contact the former assistant for her statement, she refused to cooperate.

Nevertheless, the attorney representing both the former assistant and Officer Miles insists that Officer Miles is still employed with the Dolton Police Department and hints at a forthcoming criminal complaint on behalf of Mayor Henyard’s ex-assistant.

These allegations underscore the importance of addressing workplace harassment and retaliation seriously. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of all involved parties and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for the community of Dolton and beyond.