EDITOR’S Observe: This is one of various experiences on courtroom-purchased launch of Fairfield Township’s credit history card records and what these credit rating card statements reveal. Having said that, Trustee Taletha Coles did not transform around the receipts for the credit history credit history card purchases and there are lacking statements..
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit history card fees more than a few a long time to her renovations at the township’s business on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be right tied to household improvement buys.
A Journal & Courier’s ongoing evaluate of the courtroom-ordered release of the township’s credit score card statements showed that between January 2019 and July 2021, Coles billed $36,691.51 to regional residence enhancement outlets, as properly as to Just Blinds, Best Buy, and Cork Flooring.
Even so, there are quite a few months that do not have credit rating card statements, and there are statements that are only two web pages. The files suggest there are numerous lacking internet pages that were being not delivered to the general public.
The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for remark about the spending, together with extra than $2,000 of buys at Best Invest in in March 2020. Coles did not answer.
In May perhaps 2019, Coles charged $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s place of work. She also charged more than $1,300 that thirty day period to Countrywide Small business Household furniture. In June 2019, Coles charged $2,652.59 to Cork Flooring and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.
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The credit score card statements indicate other expenses to suppliers that could force the renovation totals even bigger, but with no the receipts, which the J&C requested, there is certainly no way to get a much more correct accounting.
The Indiana Condition Police and the Condition Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s funds considering that Coles grew to become trustee in January 2019.
Coles was jogging for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic main. She faced opposition from Fairfield Township Board associates Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.
Republican Fairfield Township trustee candidate April O’Brien is functioning unopposed and will face the Democratic key winner.
In the past, Coles blamed her high credit history card spending — such as common purchases at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not consist of any Sam’s Club purchases in the full claimed today simply because there are not indications that the Sam’s Club buys had everything to do with renovations.
Spending:Fairfield Township trustee charged $41K on credit history card in 2021
In its Sept. 17, 2021, ask for to examine community files, The Journal & Courier requested to inspect credit card receipts as very well as credit rating card statements.
The Journal & Courier filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to develop the asked for paperwork. Coles provided some regular credit history card statements, but there are webpages lacking and months lacking from those people statements.
Access Ron Wilkins at [email protected] Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
