EDITOR’S Take note: This is one of several stories on courtroom-requested launch of Fairfield Township’s credit history card data and what these credit score card statements reveal. However, Trustee Taletha Coles did not turn above the receipts for the credit credit card buys and there are missing statements..
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit score card expenses in excess of a few many years to her renovations at the township’s office on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be immediately tied to property advancement purchases.
A Journal & Courier’s ongoing overview of the courtroom-requested release of the township’s credit score card statements showed that between January 2019 and July 2021, Coles charged $36,691.51 to neighborhood house enhancement stores, as nicely as to Just Blinds, Best Buy, and Cork Floors.
Nevertheless, there are numerous months that do not have credit rating card statements, and there are statements that are only two internet pages. The files suggest there are several lacking webpages that have been not furnished to the public.
The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for comment about the paying out, including more than $2,000 of purchases at Ideal Obtain in March 2020. Coles did not answer.
In May 2019, Coles billed $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s office environment. She also billed far more than $1,300 that thirty day period to Nationwide Small business Household furniture. In June 2019, Coles billed $2,652.59 to Cork Flooring and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.
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The credit score card statements indicate other rates to retailers that could thrust the renovation totals even increased, but without having the receipts, which the J&C requested, you will find no way to get a extra accurate accounting.
The Indiana State Law enforcement and the Condition Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s finances since Coles turned trustee in January 2019.
Coles was jogging for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic key. She faced opposition from Fairfield Township Board users Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.
Republican Fairfield Township trustee applicant April O’Brien is working unopposed and will face the Democratic primary winner.
In the previous, Coles blamed her high credit score card spending — such as frequent buys at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not contain any Sam’s Club buys in the full claimed now because there are not indications that the Sam’s Club buys had something to do with renovations.
Shelling out:Fairfield Township trustee charged $41K on credit rating card in 2021
In its Sept. 17, 2021, request to inspect general public files, The Journal & Courier asked for to inspect credit card receipts as nicely as credit card statements.
The Journal & Courier filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to produce the requested paperwork. Coles delivered some monthly credit history card statements, but there are webpages lacking and months missing from those people statements.
Arrive at Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
