Tiffany Henyard, mayor of south suburban Dolton, unsuccessfully tried to cancel Monday’s village board meeting — the first of the new year — saying credible threats had been made against elected officials.
The meeting began with a strong protest against the mayor’s former assistant, Fenia Dukes.
“We will not stop fighting for your justice because we understand what you have been through,” said Thornton Township resident Vivian Allen.
Dukes worked for Henyard for about six months. Dukes claims that during a taxpayer-funded trip to Las Vegas in May 2023, she was assaulted by administrator Andrew Holmes. Dukes filed a civil suit accusing Holmes of assault and nonconsensual distribution of private sexual images.
The lawsuit accuses Henyard of putting her on unpaid leave and then firing her in an attempt to cover up the alleged incident.
Police documents show the Clark County District Attorney’s Office declined to pursue criminal charges in the case against Holmes.
Dukes returned to Las Vegas on December 11, completing a second police report; this concerned the illegal distribution of intimate images of others. So far, NBC Chicago has not been able to comment on whether the Clark County district attorney will pursue criminal charges related to the report.
“I am beyond blessed and grateful…to have each and every one of you here for me,” Dukes said. “I thought I’d be standing here by myself, but look at you right next to me…I love you too.”
When asked about the lawsuit a few months ago, Holmes told NBC Chicago “no comment.” In a statement, a lawyer for Henyard said she strongly denied all of the allegations mentioned by Ms Dukes. The statement goes on to say that Henyard did not place Ms. Dukes on unpaid medical leave or terminate her employment due to a report of misconduct.
As for the threats made against elected officials, the interim mayor said the council was not aware of any.
“The board has not received any evidence of a credible threat and we have not heard anything about it,” said Jason House, trustee and mayor pro tem.
NBC Chicago
