(Substack)—A business in Illinois, owned by a vocal critic of controversial Democratic mayor Tiffany Henyard, was destroyed in a fire deemed “suspicious” by authorities earlier this week.
“The fire is suspicious in nature,” Dolton Deputy Fire Chief John Calhoun told WGN. “We do have the fire marshal out here currently with our [mutual aid] arson team.”
The blaze erupted around 6 a.m. Tuesday, escalating to a three-alarm fire. No injuries were reported, but the building was a total loss, according to FOX 32 Chicago. A smaller fire occurred at the same site the previous week, WGN noted.
The property, owned by Lawrence Gardner, was raided last year by Illinois Secretary of State police in a stolen car probe. WGN reported that 10 of 50 vehicles on the lot were linked to auto theft investigations, though Gardner claimed he only rented parking spaces.
Gardner, a frequent critic of Henyard, alleged retaliation by the mayor for not supporting her, WGN reported. Neither Gardner, the Illinois Secretary of State, nor the Dolton Fire Department responded to Fox News Digital’s inquiries.
Henyard, labeled the “worst mayor in America” by critics, has faced multiple controversies. The self-proclaimed “super mayor” was criticized last month for missing four consecutive village board meetings after losing her re-election bid in February to Mayor-elect Jason House.
In 2024, the FBI issued subpoenas at Dolton Village Hall amid corruption allegations, though Henyard was not personally served. She has also faced sexual assault claims and questions about her cancer charity. Following her election loss, a federal subpoena was issued in a criminal probe tied to a development project involving land owned by Henyard’s boyfriend, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
Henyard and House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
