CHICAGO, Ill. (April 16, 2024) – Keith Freeman, a top official in Thornton Township and the Village of Dolton, has been indicted on federal bankruptcy fraud charges that accuse him of lying about his assets and attempting to conceal money in an undisclosed bank account after he filed for bankruptcy in January.
Freeman, an Orland Park resident, is charged with one count of bankruptcy fraud. According to the 11-page federal indictment, he serves as the Municipality Manager for Thornton Township, as well as the Village Administrator in Dolton.
False statements and omissions
The indictment alleges that in bankruptcy filings submitted on January 3, and on occasions where he was making statements under oath, Freeman made “materially false statements and material omissions” regarding his financial situation.
Among these were claims that Freeman’s 2022 gross income was $45,186, when his actual income was approximately $140,000, said the indictment. Additionally, the charge states Freeman claimed that his 2023 gross income was $99,647, when his actual income was around $195,000.
The indictment alleges that Freeman created a personal bank account in July of last year into which he deposited pay from both Thornton Township and the Village of Dolton, as well as a consulting company he owned. He did not include this account in his bankruptcy filings, said federal prosecutors.
While testifying under oath on January 30, Freeman also said that he was not an employee of Dolton and did not receive payment from Dolton — both claims that were false, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors further allege that Freeman lied about his total debts, failing to disclose that the Village of Robbins had filed a claim against him for $90,396 for unauthorized payments he received while serving as the town’s Village Administrator from 2017 to 2021.
This omission “deprived the Village of Robbins of notice of and the opportunity to timely participate in the Freeman Bankruptcy Case,” the indictment said.
Ongoing investigation
Freeman has consistently supported the controversial actions of Tiffany Henyard, who serves as Thornton Township Supervisor and the mayor of Dolton.
According to a press release from the Northern District of Illinois United States Attorney’s Office, “Freeman was indicted as part of an ongoing federal investigation.”
The release also said, “An indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Related
- ‘What are we hiding?’ – Thornton Township residents ask Tiffany Henyard for the numbers (April 13, 2024)
- Thornton Township restricts media access at 2024 Annual Meeting (April 11, 2024)
This reminds me of the commercial from the 70’s for the Ginsu Knife Set . . . . “But wait! There’s more!” The Dolton & Thornton Township situation just keeps unfolding.
LOL……..hopefully the anvil will drop soon on Henyard.