A federal grand jury has indicted Lewis A. Lacey, the former deputy chief of police of Dolton, Illinois, on bankruptcy fraud charges. The indictment alleges that Lacey concealed assets and income to avoid paying creditors and settling a lawsuit. The charges include bankruptcy fraud, making false statements in a bankruptcy case, and perjury.
Lacey, a vocal supporter of Mayor Tiffany Henyard, filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and 2020 after being accused of owing a significant settlement amount. The indictment reveals that Lacey provided false information about his income and assets, including underreporting his monthly income and concealing bank accounts.
During the period of the alleged fraud scheme, Lacey served as a police officer with the Dolton Police Department. He was recently fired as the town's deputy police chief amid a village board meeting focused on cost-saving measures.
Lacey's lawyer has denied the charges, suggesting that the indictment is part of a larger government plan to target Mayor Henyard. If found guilty, Lacey could face up to 45 years in prison.
Financial Mismanagement Allegations Against Mayor Henyard
The indictment against Lacey comes amidst a broader investigation into alleged financial mismanagement by Mayor Tiffany Henyard. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot presented findings revealing a significant drop in Dolton's general fund balance and questionable credit card expenditures by Henyard.
Lightfoot's investigation also uncovered instances of excessive overtime pay for police officers, further adding to the financial scrutiny facing the city. The revelations have prompted an ongoing FBI investigation into the matter.
Henyard, who has faced accusations of lavish spending and misconduct, is under increasing pressure as the allegations continue to mount. The FBI's involvement and the ongoing investigations suggest a deepening crisis within the Dolton administration.
Residents and officials alike are closely monitoring the developments as the legal proceedings unfold and the investigations progress.
