The law firm that represents south suburban Dolton in at least 19 lawsuits in Cook County and federal court is considering withdrawing from the cases for failure to pay.
NBC Chicago obtained a copy of the April 24 letter sent to the village. The Del Galdo Law Group in Berwyn said that by May 8 it will file motions to withdraw from the cases, which include jail suicides and police-involved shootings.
The letter says no one wants to represent the village. He notes that the village has already been hit with a $33.5 million judgment in another case, and goes on to say, “We are not obligated to work for free and refuse to do so. »
In February, Dolton trustees voted to remove the law firm from its role as the village’s representative in the ongoing lawsuits. At that same meeting, trustees requested an outside investigation of Mayor Tiffany Henyard, who then vetoed the decision. Trustees then voted to override his veto.
The village government is marred by accusations of improper spending, lawsuits and investigations.
The FBI recently served two subpoenas at Dolton Village Hall, seeking personnel and disciplinary records for nearly 30 people as well as all records relating to Village Administrator Keith Freeman and several businesses in which he is involved.
Freeman was indicted for an alleged bankruptcy fraud scheme. Federal authorities accuse him of making false statements and underreporting his income in his bankruptcy filing.
Henyard and administrator Andrew Holmes also face a civil lawsuit filed by Henyard’s former aide and a Dolton police officer.
The lawsuit accuses Holmes of battery and Henyard of retaliation. Henyard is also the supervisor of Thornton Township.
Administrators recently named Lori Lightfoot, a former Chicago mayor and former federal prosecutor, as a special investigator.
NBC Chicago reached out to Mayor Henyard for a statement but has not heard back.
NBC Chicago
