Henyard hit with another lawsuit
A federal lawsuit filed against Dolton and Mayor Tiffany Henyard alleges a business license for a barber shop was denied due to “arbitrary and capricious” actions by the mayor.
It’s the latest in a string of lawsuits filed in state and federal court against the village and Henyard, many of which allege retaliatory actions by the mayor and her administration aimed at those who do not support her politically or financially.
Tyrone Isom Jr. ultimately did not receive a license to open his barber shop and said he had to sell the property, after putting in thousands of dollars to remodel the building, according to his lawsuit.
The complaint alleges Henyard has a policy of approving or denying permits, such as business licenses, based on “arbitrary and capricious non-village-oriented basis, but instead based upon what donations individuals give toward her campaign.”
Isom said he had no avenue to appeal the license denial, and alleges he was denied due process under the U.S. Constitution.
An attorney for Isom, Gregory Kulis, said Wednesday his client works as a barber in the south suburbs and had to sell the property a little more than a month ago. Kulis said Isom racked up bills and “was living on credit cards” to try to open his shop.
“He did everything (village officials) told him he had to do,” to open the business, Kulis said.
The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, also names Keith Freeman, Dolton’s village administrator, as a defendant along with Carmen Carlisle, who is Henyard’s executive assistant,