
(Scypre.com) – A Dolton Township board meeting descended into chaos Tuesday night after a tense exchange led to an all-out brawl, involving both citizens and public officials. The heated confrontation came in the wake of a damning report presented by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, detailing alleged financial mismanagement and deception under Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard’s administration.
America’s worst mayor, Tiffany Henyard, and her boyfriend got into a brawl at a township meeting after a speaker ends with “You gone, bitch!”
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) January 29, 2025
Fists were flying and so was Tiffany’s wig.
pic.twitter.com/aImRP9baze
Lightfoot’s Investigation Exposes Fiscal Misconduct
The controversy surrounding Henyard intensified after Lightfoot delivered the findings of an extensive investigation into the mayor’s handling of township funds. According to the report, the Village of Dolton received approximately $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds, yet hundreds of thousands of dollars were unaccounted for due to missing receipts. The report criticized Henyard’s failure to appoint an official to oversee the allocation of these funds, as mandated by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Lightfoot’s probe also revealed a significant increase in municipal credit card spending, which surged to $779,638 in 2023. The investigation noted that many expenses lacked proper documentation, with credit cards being used for lavish trips to Las Vegas in both 2022 and 2023. The report, obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, stated, “There is no evidence that any business development opportunities came to the village as a result of either of these two trips.”
Fiery Exchange Sparks Physical Altercation
During the public comment portion of the township meeting, a community member identified as Brown confronted Henyard over the financial allegations. Brown harshly criticized the mayor’s performance, stating, “You’ve been a half-a– mayor. But if you wanted to get up here and earn some respect, then you should have been able to respond to Lori Lightfoot’s report about credit cards.”
The situation escalated when Brown called for a symbolic vote to replace Henyard, declaring, “On behalf of the Black Cookout Association, we better take a vote … that we’re going to exchange your Black a– for Stephanie to be the newer member. So all those against it say ‘nay,’ all those in favor say, ‘aye.’” He concluded his remarks with a pointed remark: “You gone, b—-.”
As tensions boiled over, bystander video captured a violent confrontation between Brown and Henyard’s boyfriend, Kamal Woods, in the back of the room. Witnesses reported that punches were thrown, and security struggled to separate the combatants. The footage also showed Henyard, who had been seated at the front, rushing toward the fight and appearing to get physically involved.
Witnesses React to Shocking Brawl
Attendees expressed shock over the unprecedented scene. Meghan Dudek, a witness, told WMAQ-TV, “I have never seen a politician jump in and fight like that – it was scary and horrible – it is an embarrassment.”
Gerald Williams, another attendee, remarked, “It should have never come to blows, and Tiffany should have never got involved. She jumped in. She hit her head on the table, so I don’t know. She might be injured.”
A third witness, Alicia Nichole, shared her disbelief, stating, “It was one thing when the guys were fighting, but when she jumped in it, I was taken aback. I was floored.”
While it remains unclear from the video whether Henyard was actively fighting or attempting to break up the melee, the chaotic scene further fueled scrutiny of her leadership.
Legal and Political Fallout
Henyard’s attorney, Beau B. Brindley, attributed the outbreak of violence to political opponents spreading misinformation. In a statement obtained by Fox News, he argued, “In the face of endless false accusations and outright lies about Mayor Henyard that are being trafficked on social media by her political enemies, it is unsurprising that violence erupted. This episode shows that the campaign of false information about the mayor puts her and others in danger.”
Prior to the altercation, the board had voted to suspend Woods and another official, William Moore, without pay. The township also approved the hiring of auditors to scrutinize their oversight of an at-risk youth program.
Henyard, who serves as both mayor of Dolton and supervisor of Thornton Township, suffered a significant political setback earlier this month. She lost the Democratic primary for her township role to Illinois State Senator Napoleon Harris, who is now advancing to the general election in April with full party backing. Henyard had attempted to challenge the election results, claiming voter suppression, but her bid to be reinstated on the ballot was unsuccessful.
Township Moves Forward Amid Uncertainty
In a separate development, Dolton Park District Executive Director Stephanie Wiedeman was elected to fill a vacancy on the Thornton Township Board of Trustees, bringing an end to a prolonged government shutdown. With Wiedeman’s appointment, the township was able to pass its tax levy ordinance and approve insurance measures, allowing local government operations to resume.
Meanwhile, scrutiny of Henyard’s tenure continues to mount. Lightfoot’s report described her administration’s handling of financial matters as a “concerted, systematic effort” to obscure the village’s true fiscal condition from trustees and the public. As investigators continue to dig deeper into Dolton’s financial records, the fallout from the meeting brawl underscores the growing tensions surrounding Henyard’s leadership.
The recent altercation also comes on the heels of another legal issue for Henyard—she was held in contempt of court just days earlier for allegedly delaying liquor license approvals for months.
With political and legal challenges piling up, Henyard now faces increased scrutiny as both township and village officials push for further accountability. As investigations unfold, the residents of Dolton await answers about the fate of their leadership and the integrity of their local government.