As we reported, Calumet City Clerk Nyota Figgs destroyed official city documents after being directed to retain those documents. Now, Southland News Dispatch has obtained video pertaining to the event.
Back in 2021 right after Thaddeus Jones became Calumet City Mayor, an audit of city finances was begun. This is common in municipalities when administrations change. A professional and credentialed CPA was secured to conduct the audit. City Clerk Nyota Figgs was directed to retain documents, particularly financial records. Figgs ignored the order, destroying numerous files, and it was said to be thirteen 96-gallon containers of documents.
This was a clear violation of the Illinois Local Records Act, and a complaint was filed.
Now Southland News Dispatch has obtained video the emptied boxes of city records. As can be seen in the video, the stacks are roughly six feet high and consistent with the two trucks used by the document destruction company secured by Figgs to destroy the records.
Legal proceedings take significant time, and the matter is still in litigation.
For context, here is the video of Figgs disabling a security camera in city hall just before the documents were taken out.
On December 4th, Figgs’ allies on the city council, including Alderman James Patton, Alderwoman Monet S Wilson and Alderman Michael Navarrete pulled a publicity stunt on the steps of city hall calling for the litigation to end. Clearly their allegiance to Figgs is more important to them than maintaining financial accountability for residents and obeying the Illinois Local Records Act.
Mayor Thaddues Jones released a statement calling the council’s actions a political stunt. “The city council doesn’t have the authority to dismiss a lawsuit. Under ordinance number 2-492, only the mayor can direct legal work. This is a political ploy by a failed candidate and a city clerk who destroyed city records,” he said.
Figgs has formed a tight political allegiance with Wilson and Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard. It appears that Patton and Navarrete have joined.