FBI investigating Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard while Illinois attorney general orders her charity to stop soliciting donations
A charity organized by Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard has been told by the Illinois attorney general's office to stop soliciting or accepting contributions, and that it needs to register with the state.
A charity organized by Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard has been told by the Illinois attorney general’s office to stop soliciting or accepting contributions, and that it must register with the state.
Separately, a law enforcement source confirmed federal authorities, including the FBI, are conducting an investigation targeting Henyard. The course said the probe has included recent interviews by investigators both inside and outside of Dolton, but is in the early stages and no charges have been brought.
The attorney general’s letter, dated Wednesday and sent by certified mail, notes the Tiffany Henyard CARES Foundation is not in good standing and states the attorney general has sent multiple letters advising, among other things, that it is not registered with the state.
However, the foundation hasn’t responded “and we have not been advised why there has been a delay,” according to the recent letter, sent by Pasquale Esposito, deputy bureau chief of the attorney general’s Charitable Trust Bureau.
A Facebook page for the charity provides little information about the charity’s activities or officers.
The page states CARES stands for Cancer and Remission Empowering Survivors, and there is a photo of Henyard, who is also Thornton Township supervisor.
Esposito’s letter is directed to William Moore, the foundation’s president, along with Keith Freeman, identified as the charity’s registered agent. Freeman is Dolton’s village administrator and Moore is the village’s housing director.
The letter notes states in order “to avoid further action by this office,” the charity must, by March 13, file a registration statement, copies of financial reports and a list of officers and/or directors, among other paperwork.
“Please make this a matter of urgent priority” Esposito writes.
Messages left Thursday for Henyard and Freeman were not immediately returned.
Chicago Tribune reporter Jason Meisner contributed to this article.