Trustee charged $36K to home improvement stores — presumably for renovations

EDITOR’S Be aware: This is one particular of numerous experiences on court-ordered release of Fairfield Township’s credit card records and what these credit history card statements expose. Nevertheless, Trustee Taletha Coles did not flip more than the receipts for the credit history credit score card purchases and there are lacking statements..

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit card expenses about a few yrs to her renovations at the township’s business office on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be straight tied to property improvement buys.

A Journal & Courier’s ongoing evaluation of the court docket-purchased launch of the township’s credit rating card statements confirmed that in between January 2019 and July 2021, Coles charged $36,691.51 to regional household advancement merchants, as well as to Just Blinds, Finest Obtain, and Cork Flooring.

However, there are numerous months that do not have credit history card statements, and there are statements that are only two internet pages. The paperwork reveal there are several lacking internet pages that were being not delivered to the general public.

The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for remark about the expending, which include additional than $2,000 of purchases at Greatest Invest in in March 2020. Coles did not react.

In May perhaps 2019, Coles billed $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s business office. She also billed much more than $1,300 that month to Countrywide Small business Home furnishings. In June 2019, Coles billed $2,652.59 to Cork Floors and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.

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The credit score card statements suggest other fees to suppliers that could force the renovation totals even better, but without the receipts, which the J&C asked for, there’s no way to get a more exact accounting.

The Indiana Point out Law enforcement and the Point out Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s funds considering the fact that Coles grew to become trustee in January 2019.

Story proceeds

Coles was jogging for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic key. She faced opposition from Fairfield Township Board members Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.

Republican Fairfield Township trustee prospect April O’Brien is working unopposed and will face the Democratic key winner.

In the past, Coles blamed her higher credit history card investing — including typical buys at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not consist of any Sam’s Club buys in the complete claimed currently because there are not indications that the Sam’s Club buys experienced anything at all to do with renovations.

Paying: Fairfield Township trustee billed $41K on credit rating card in 2021

In its Sept. 17, 2021, ask for to inspect general public files, The Journal & Courier requested to examine credit history card receipts as well as credit score card statements.

The Journal & Courier filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to produce the requested paperwork. Coles offered some regular monthly credit rating card statements, but there are internet pages missing and months lacking from people statements.

Achieve Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Comply with on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This report at first appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette trustee charged $36K to property improvement stores