EDITOR’S Observe: This is one particular of numerous reports on courtroom-purchased release of Fairfield Township’s credit history card records and what these credit score card statements expose. Nonetheless, Trustee Taletha Coles did not switch over the receipts for the credit history credit rating card purchases and there are missing statements..
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit score card charges about a few many years to her renovations at the township’s place of work on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be specifically tied to residence enhancement purchases.
A Journal & Courier’s ongoing review of the court-purchased release of the township’s credit card statements showed that amongst January 2019 and July 2021, Coles billed $36,691.51 to nearby property enhancement retailers, as well as to Just Blinds, Finest Acquire, and Cork Floors.
Nonetheless, there are numerous months that do not have credit card statements, and there are statements that are only two pages. The files reveal there are numerous missing webpages that were being not furnished to the public.
The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for comment about the spending, together with far more than $2,000 of purchases at Best Purchase in March 2020. Coles did not answer.
In May possibly 2019, Coles billed $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s office. She also charged additional than $1,300 that month to Countrywide Small business Home furnishings. In June 2019, Coles billed $2,652.59 to Cork Flooring and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.
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The credit card statements suggest other costs to retailers that may well force the renovation totals even increased, but devoid of the receipts, which the J&C asked for, there’s no way to get a more precise accounting.
The Indiana Point out Police and the Condition Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s funds due to the fact Coles turned trustee in January 2019.
Coles was managing for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic key. She confronted levels of competition from Fairfield Township Board associates Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.
Republican Fairfield Township trustee applicant April O’Brien is jogging unopposed and will encounter the Democratic major winner.
In the earlier, Coles blamed her high credit history card paying — including typical purchases at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not include any Sam’s Club purchases in the full reported nowadays because there are not indications that the Sam’s Club buys had anything to do with renovations.
Expending: Fairfield Township trustee billed $41K on credit card in 2021
In its Sept. 17, 2021, ask for to inspect general public files, The Journal & Courier asked for to examine credit rating card receipts as effectively as credit card statements.
The Journal & Courier submitted a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to generate the asked for documents. Coles delivered some regular credit card statements, but there are pages lacking and months missing from these statements.
Access Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Stick to on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This report originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette trustee charged $36K to home improvement shops