Dolton politician’s cancer charity got almost all of its reported money from taxpayers
DOLTON, Ill. — After months of silence, a representative of the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation finally responded to the Illinois Attorney General’s demand for records. But the filing was incomplete and lacked key records that would should how it collects and spends money.
It comes as Dolton mayor and Thornton Township supervisor Tiffany Henyard has recently tried to distance herself from her namesake charity as she’s faced questions about spending, leadership style and transparency while in office.
Related: AG tells Dolton mayor’s charity to stop soliciting money
A representative of the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation wrote on the charity’s registration statement filed with the Illinois Attorney general that the organization only raised $13,000 in its first few months of existence. WGN Investigates has reported the Thornton Township board – which is controlled by Henyard – transferred $10,000 to the foundation days after it was created. That’s in addition to the $10,248 charged to township credit cards for hotels along the route of a Tiffany Henyard Cares walk from Dolton to Springfield in 2022. In addition, records reviewed by WGN Investigates show people on Henyard’s government payroll received out-of-town taxpayer funded stipends while participating in the walk to Springfield.
Suburban politician’s cancer charity fails to file financial records
However, since the foundation failed to file tax documents with the attorney general’s office – including a Form 990 which details revenue, expenditures and income – the foundation’s financial activities since its inception in September 2022 remain unclear.
“The 990 provides all of the necessary information about the nonprofit, so if it’s not filed, any prudent taxpayer should ask ‘why not?’” said Kelly Richmond Pope, a professor of accounting at DePaul University who wrote the book “Fool Me Once: Scams, stories and Secrets from the Trillion Dollar Fraud Industry.” Pope said the fact the organization has failed to file legally required paperwork is a red flag.
“It leads one to suspect that the organization has something to hide,” she said.
Following WGN Investigates reports on Henyard’s charity and its close ties to people she employs in the two governments she runs, Henyard claimed in an interview she has no involvement with the organization.
“Someone made up a foundation,” Henyard told Roland Martin on his YouTube program. “They named it after me and they like the work that I do in the community.”
“You’re not aware of any work they’ve done, money they’ve raised, anything along those lines?” Martin asked Henyard. “Correct,” she responded.
That claim flies in the face of Henyard’s own words, actions and associations. In government meetings she has repeatedly promoted the foundation as her own and is seen in social media videos taking part in activities.
“I just want people to know [the] Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation is here and we will help anyone in need,” Henyard is heard saying in one video. “There’s no foundation in the State of Illinois moving like we’re moving and shaking like we doing,” Henyard claimed in a video. Dolton and Thornton Township social media pages have also heavily promoted the alleged charity which received tax-exempt status from the IRS.
Related: Dolton mayor denies involvement in her namesake charity
Henyard’s top aide in both Dolton and Thornton Township, Keith Freeman, was listed as the foundation’s registered agent in a 2023 filing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Dolton’s housing director, William Moore, was listed as the foundation’s president. Henyard’s executive assistant in Dolton was listed as a director and so was Kamal Woods who works for Henyard in Thornton Township. Late last month the registered agent of the charity was changed to Victor Osaque. Neither he nor Henyard’s representatives responded to requests for comment.
“Government money going into the foundation isn’t right,” said Chris Gonzalez, the lone trustee opposed to Henyard on the township board. Gonzalez said the township also paid for Tiffany Henyard branded merchandise that was given-away and sold as part of foundation activities. “What was the true intention here other than self-promotion?”
WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud
The Illinois Attorney General has ordered the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation to stop soliciting money and provide tax filing, foundation leadership and other records by March 28.
Henyard vetoed a resolution by Dolton trustees demanding she turn over the village’s financial records, keys to village hall and a request for an FBI investigation. Trustees said they have the votes to override the veto at their next meeting.
WGN Investigates has reported extensively on first class travel, fine dining and other questionable spending of taxpayer money by Henyard.
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