EDITOR’S Be aware: This is one of many studies on court docket-purchased launch of Fairfield Township’s credit history card documents and what these credit history card statements expose. On the other hand, Trustee Taletha Coles did not convert over the receipts for the credit score credit rating card purchases and there are missing statements..
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit score card charges in excess of a few yrs to her renovations at the township’s place of work on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be specifically tied to residence advancement buys.
A Journal & Courier’s ongoing review of the court-purchased launch of the township’s credit rating card statements confirmed that concerning January 2019 and July 2021, Coles charged $36,691.51 to local property advancement merchants, as well as to Just Blinds, Very best Invest in, and Cork Flooring.
Nonetheless, there are numerous months that do not have credit card statements, and there are statements that are only two internet pages. The paperwork suggest there are many missing pages that were not presented to the public.
The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for remark about the paying out, like additional than $2,000 of purchases at Most effective Buy in March 2020. Coles did not respond.
In Might 2019, Coles billed $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s office environment. She also charged extra than $1,300 that month to Countrywide Company Furniture. In June 2019, Coles charged $2,652.59 to Cork Flooring and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.
Additional on Taletha Coles: Fairfield Township taxpayers funding trustee’s meditation, massages, on the web finding out
The credit rating card statements show other fees to suppliers that may well push the renovation totals even higher, but without having the receipts, which the J&C requested, you will find no way to get a additional accurate accounting.
The Indiana State Law enforcement and the State Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s funds since Coles turned trustee in January 2019.
Coles was working for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic key. She confronted competitiveness from Fairfield Township Board users Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.
Republican Fairfield Township trustee candidate April O’Brien is working unopposed and will face the Democratic main winner.
In the previous, Coles blamed her large credit history card spending — together with standard purchases at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not incorporate any Sam’s Club purchases in the total documented these days for the reason that there are not indications that the Sam’s Club purchases experienced anything at all to do with renovations.
Shelling out: Fairfield Township trustee charged $41K on credit rating card in 2021
In its Sept. 17, 2021, ask for to inspect general public paperwork, The Journal & Courier requested to examine credit history card receipts as nicely as credit card statements.
The Journal & Courier filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to deliver the requested paperwork. Coles supplied some regular monthly credit rating card statements, but there are webpages lacking and months missing from these statements.
Arrive at Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Comply with on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This short article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette trustee charged $36K to household advancement merchants