EDITOR’S Note: This is one of many studies on courtroom-purchased launch of Fairfield Township’s credit rating card records and what these credit history card statements reveal. Having said that, Trustee Taletha Coles did not transform above the receipts for the credit credit card purchases and there are lacking statements..
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit history card charges more than 3 yrs to her renovations at the township’s workplace on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be immediately tied to home enhancement purchases.
A Journal & Courier’s ongoing evaluation of the courtroom-ordered launch of the township’s credit card statements confirmed that amongst January 2019 and July 2021, Coles charged $36,691.51 to nearby home advancement shops, as well as to Just Blinds, Finest Acquire, and Cork Flooring.
However, there are numerous months that do not have credit history card statements, and there are statements that are only two pages. The paperwork indicate there are various lacking internet pages that ended up not provided to the community.
The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for comment about the investing, together with more than $2,000 of buys at Best Buy in March 2020. Coles did not react.
In Could 2019, Coles charged $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s office. She also billed additional than $1,300 that month to Countrywide Organization Furniture. In June 2019, Coles charged $2,652.59 to Cork Floors and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.
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The credit card statements reveal other expenses to shops that may well push the renovation totals even better, but without having the receipts, which the J&C requested, you can find no way to get a more precise accounting.
The Indiana Condition Law enforcement and the Condition Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s finances considering that Coles became trustee in January 2019.
Coles was managing for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic main. She confronted competition from Fairfield Township Board customers Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.
Republican Fairfield Township trustee prospect April O’Brien is working unopposed and will facial area the Democratic most important winner.
In the previous, Coles blamed her substantial credit rating card investing — including typical buys at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not incorporate any Sam’s Club purchases in the complete claimed these days since there are not indications that the Sam’s Club purchases experienced anything at all to do with renovations.
Shelling out: 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 requested to examine credit rating card receipts as properly as credit card statements.
The Journal & Courier submitted a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to create the requested documents. Coles presented some month-to-month credit history card statements, but there are web pages lacking and months missing from these statements.
Reach Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Observe on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This write-up at first appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette trustee billed $36K to household enhancement outlets
